More than 250 blood donors responded to the call of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) to replenish the depleted blood banks in the province.

The Blood Olympics held on Monday, June 13, 2016 in celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2016 with this year’s theme “Blood connects us all” collected 42,000 cc from unpaid volunteer donors including soldiers, police officers and students from Bohol Island State University and Philippine Maritime Institue – Bohol.

Mila Israel, coordinator of the National Voluntary Blood Service Program of the PHO told DYRD Balita that the demand for blood in Bohol exceeds supply citing the need for the collaboration of the 48 local government units to ramp up their programs on voluntary blood donations in their communities.

Adequate blood supply helps save lives every year especially during emergencies such as natural disasters, conflicts and childbirth and help patients with life threatening situations. (Chito M. Visarra with reports from Rey Tutas)