Writer: AG&PFI news desk
Bauan, Batangas – Responding to the demand of blood, due to scarcity of donors, the Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila, Inc. in cooperation with the AG&P Foundation, BHFY Multi-purpose Cooperative and Philippine National Red Cross, initiated a blood letting, blood donation campaign which were participated by 122 willing candidates composed of trainees, AG&P employees, Cooperative staff and AG&P heads & Managers. 
The first batch of donors came early, at 7AM, August 28, 2009 to be registered with PNRC. With 12 folding beds, AG&PFI converted its welding theory classroom into a clinic where the extractions were made while being supervised by AG&P Physician, Dra. Linabelle R. Panopio (AG&P Clinic), Dra. Basilisa Turno, (PNRC Medical Head) and Estela Peñalosa (PNRC Medical Technologist). 
The Philippine National Red Cross started the activity by selecting donors through interviews and physical examinations. Blood pressures were taken and weights were checked. PNRC distributed 'Blood donor interview sheets' containing questions that focused on personal issues and about patient's medical history, from among the 122 only 96 were qualified. Each donor was given a chance to decide whether to voluntarily contribute blood or refuse. After the screening, those who were elected where sent inside the classroom-clinic and were laid down/seated for blood letting. After the 15 minutes procedure, each was given a PNRC RED CROSS blood card, indicating their blood type (defined by color), date and amount of blood drawn and their names, which entitled them to get a free blood whenever and wherever they need them. 
AG&PFI Executive Director, Renato M. Alarcon, presided over the 25 AG&PFI volunteers' who assisted the 12 PNRC nurses and the 4 BHFY Cooperative team mates in the blood donation and letting campaign.
The Father is in need of three bags of Blood.
An engineering employee, Ginalyn G. Quinio, having been disqualified to become a donor, approached Executive Director Alarcon to ask if she may be permitted to donate blood despite her ineligibility because her Father needs blood for transfusion which was scheduled on August 31, 2009, Monday.
Aurio L. Quinio, Father of Ginalyn, had been suffering from Nephrities, for three years, where only 10% of one from two (2) kidneys was working. The father needs at least 1,500 cc of 'Hemoglobin', also commonly known as Red Blood Corpucells, to alleviate the paleness and depletion of her crimson cells in the blood. The Platelet is likewise diminishing but can be contained once the three (3) bags of blood were infused in his system.
Mr.Renato M. Alarcon encouraged Ginalyn to prepare the father's hospitalization as AG&PFI will guarantee three (3) bags of Blood for his speedy recovery, even if she has earlier been disqualified from donating. The blood shall be delivered to the hospital where Ginalyn's father will be confined without any expense from the family. PNRC Chief of AG&PFI campaign, Dra. Turno, seconded the commitment and gave the engineer her assurance of blood. "This is practically the reason why we conducted the Blood Letting and Donation campaign. This will be our success story and this will be an inspiration we can share to the most needy" Mr. Alarcon exclaimed.
Richard A. Reyes, Head of the AG&P Resources Management, also donated 450 cc of his type "O" to the cooperative with the purpose of saving another person's life. According to Dra. Linabelle R. Panopio, the procedure conducted inside the Technical School is admirable since everything was prepared and done in synchronized cooperation and professionalism. Dr. Michael Cayetano, Chief AG&P Physician, was in frequent communication with all his staff nurses and Dra. Panopio, as his 'alter ego' all day long which contributed to the success of the mission conducted by AG&PFI and the BHFY Multi-purpose Cooperative, (represented by Miss Marife H. Manongsong, AG&P Personnel Manager).
Students donating:
"The huge number of students donating from AG&PFI was the culminating factor which made the activity so successful not setting apart the 29 Engineering employees" this was the statement from Marketing and Information Officer Ben S. Aclan concluding a head count of providers. Thirty two (32) mixed welding students and eight (8) pipe fitting willingly lined up to donate for the AG&PFI causes. Aside from students 6 combined AG&P teachers and staff also donated with the rest of guests and volunteers.
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) were so delighted with the huge number of contributions accumulated after the days activity and vouched to return on September 22, 2009 for the next scheduled BHFY Multi-Purpose Cooperative/AG&PFI with the Batangas Regional Hospital, as additional Partner, blood letting and blood donation day.
