CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Proving that small acts of sacrifice can yield life-saving results, civic groups and volunteers united in Barangay Tablon to donate 85 units of fresh blood for indigent patients at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).
The Feb. 21 blood drive, led by the Fraternal Order of Philippine Eagles of Northern Mindanao Region 19 (NMR-19), rallied the community under the theme, “In Giving Life, We Serve God and Humanity.”
NMR-19 Regional Governor Eagle Alene Valencia said the collected blood will directly support NMMC's emergency and charity cases, providing a lifeline to indigent patients who depend on the public hospital for transfusions but cannot afford the medical expenses.
During the event, Valencia pointed out the profound impact of collective community action. He noted that when “drops of blood are gathered, they can save lives.”
The humanitarian effort was organized in partnership with the NMMC blood bank team, led by Dr. Ian Margaja, and the Barangay Tablon Council, headed by Barangay Chairman Romeo R. Bacarro. Support also poured in from the State of Kuwait Lady Eagles Club and the Baldonado Veterinary Clinic.
To encourage participation, organizers and sponsors provided meals and distributed 200 food packs — each containing five kilograms of rice — to the donors and volunteers.
Valencia thanked the massive mobilization of local Eagles clubs, noting strong participation from the Agusan Valley, Tablon Umalag, Lapasan Arcadia, CDO Pillars, Powergold CDEO, Solid Kagay-anon, Solid Gold, Iponan Elite, and Cugman Vines.
NMR-19 leaders described the successful drive as a united mission to ease the burden on struggling families, emphasizing that continued cooperation between grassroots civic groups and public health institutions remains vital to protecting the region’s most vulnerable residents.
In a related development, NMR-19 Governor Kuya Alene joined with the national president of the Philippine Eagle, Kuya Ronald Delos Santos, and other regional and national Eagles officers in distributing relief goods to families affected by recent floods in the neighboring city of Iligan, extending the spirit of service to communities in need.
