Project Details:
In preparation of the high demand months of November to January, RCCDO Conducted the Turnover Ceremony of a Refrigerated Centrifuge and a Bloodletting Activity with the PNRC CDO-Misor RCCDO’s Global Grant GG2346868 was approved in Rotary Year 2022-23 during the administration of Past President Isidro V. Butaslac Jr., with then Secretary Roel Q. Madera as the designated contact person.
The machine was procured and shipped to PNRC CDO-Misor on May 2024 under the term of Immediate Past President Tito Noel A. Mora. The main purpose of the grant is to augment the existing but outdated Refrigerated Centrifuge of the Philippine Red Cross CDO-Misor Chapter Blood Bank.
According to PNRC officials, the Refrigerated Centrifuge with a cost of about Php2,400,000 “is the soul of a blood bank.” It separates the three main components (RBC, WBC and platelets, and plasma) while providing cooling function throughout the processing before safekeeping in another refrigeration unit. By doing so a single donated bag of blood can help save up to three people in need. With the addition of a second centrifuge the PNRC CDO-Misor blood bank’s production capacity has increase to 400 bags per 8-hour operation.
The project is a partnership of the Philippine National Red Cross CDO-Misor Chapter, The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Cagayan De Oro, Rotary Club of Gwangju-South.
Community Assessment: PNRC CDO-Misor chapter has a good partnership history with RCCDO. Most of their board of directors are Rotarians, with current Governor Antonio S. Soriano a RCCDO past president, and board member Manuel U. Along as RCCDO Past President and a Rotary District 3870 Past District Governor.
As such, RCCDO learned of the equipment limitations PNRC has been struggling with for more than a decade. Back in 2011, the only centrifuge machine of the PNRC chapter broke down. They then acquired a new one through long term lease, and since they are still repaying the loan by 2024, PNRC have yet to acquire a new centrifuge. RCCDO’s contribution through the global grant greatly enhanced the capacity of the blood bank and extend the operating life of their existing but ageing machine.
Project Impact:
With the rising case of dengue and a robust growing population in the region, PNRC is now adequately equipped to respond to the population’s need for blood supply.
Given the lifespan of the first machine as an estimate, RCCDO foresee the new refrigerated centrifuge to serve the region for at least a decade and hopefully more.
Sustainability:
RCCDO’s close partnership with PNRC CDO-Misor Chapter allows both organization to make fundamental responses to needs that arise in the region through provision of life-saving assets and equipment.
Rotary District 3870 was represented by RI District Governor Hubert B. Quiblat, DFRC Chairman PDG Manny Along, and RCCDO Club President Neil Ronard J. Que. PNRC Misor-CDO was headed by Chairman and PDG Inday Uy, with board of directors Vice Gov. Joey Pelaez, IPDG Gigi Go, PP Bebotte Chu, Ester Guazon, PP Arch. Richard Tan, Teodoro Buenvista, Jr., Manuel Causin, Nelson Sia, and again PDG Manny Along.
