Sanduguan at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh
(Dugong Alay ng Pilipino sa Cambodia: A blood drive in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Cambodia)
(13 August 2022, Phnom Penh) The Philippine Embassy kicked off the celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cambodia with a blood drive on 13 August at the chancery. A total of 49 overseas Filipino donors and Embassy officials donated much needed blood to the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) of Cambodia.
In spearheading the blood drive, Philippine Ambassador Maria Amelita Aquino said that the celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations would be more meaningful with a focus on the bonds of fraternity between the two peoples. She cited that donating blood is one way for Filipinos who have been welcomed in and made Cambodia their second home to give back to the Cambodian people.
Dr. Ly Sovith, Deputy Director of the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC), who led his team in setting up the blood drive at the Embassy, highlighted the health benefits of blood donation, stating that it can reduce the risks of cancer, reduce Erythropoietin and Hemochromatosis which can affect the liver and pancreas, improve heart health, and reduce the risks of stroke, in addition to the overall good feeling of having contributed life-saving blood.
According to the blood demand forecast in 2022, the daily demand for blood in Phnom Penh is more than 200 pints, and NBTC needs a pint of blood every 6 minutes in order to save lives. The total blood demand for Cambodia in 2022 is almost 100,000 pints, an increase of nearly 20% from 2021. While the NBTC can supply 70% of the total blood demand, voluntary blood donation can supplement this by another 10%.
Members of the different overseas Filipino organizations in Cambodia, led by the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI) came in droves to donate blood. Ambassador Aquino recognized that SAMAPI has been undertaking blood drives regularly and partnered with them for Saturday’s blood donation activity in celebration of the 65th anniversary of PH-Cambodia diplomatic relations.
“The Filipino Community in Cambodia, through SAMAPI, has been undertaking regular blood donation by its members and the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh is pleased to partner with them for this event to encourage more Filipinos and others to donate blood”, Amb. Aquino said in her remarks. “Donating blood is sharing life. You are not just giving blood but saving lives”, she added.
A number of SAMAPI members regularly donate blood to the NBTC. SAMAPI President Zarggie Elloso, and Chairman Pastor Raul Belgica along with the SAMAPI officers were on hand to lead the blood donation. “It is a simple, relatively painless, and selfless act that saves lives,” said Benilda Fernandez, a member of SAMAPI.
The blood drive is one of the events this August to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cambodia. Diplomatic ties were established on 20 August 1957, though people-to-people engagements flourished long before the official establishment of relations.