Phnom Penh, 31 August 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia, led by Consul General Emma R. Sarne partnered with the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI) and various Filipino Community Organizations for a bloodletting drive held on Sunday, 27 August 2023, at the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) located at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh.

Aimed at supporting individuals, especially Filipinos in Cambodia in need of blood transfusions, the blood drive was able to collect sixty (60) blood transfusion bags that were donated to the blood bank of the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) of Cambodia. The event also raised awareness on the importance of blood donation, including its health benefits, and the ongoing need for a steady supply of blood for medical emergencies in Cambodia. According to the NBTC, the daily demand for blood in Phnom Penh is more than 95 liters, and it needs .6 liters of blood every 6 minutes in order to save lives.

Filipino community organizations led by the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI), Prime Phnom Penh Cambodia Eagles Club, Lady Eagles Group, Cordillerans in Cambodia, St. Jude Thaddeus International School, Tropang Sagro, Philippine International School of Phnom Penh, RK Hospital, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia organized and supported this important cause. This collaborative effort showcased the unity and compassion of the Filipino community in Cambodia as they came together to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

One of the highlights of this initiative was the immediate impact it had on a Filipino national who urgently required a blood transfusion in the afternoon of the blood drive. Earlier in the month, one of the Philippine Embassy’s own also required an emergency transfusion and the participation of the officers and staff of the Embassy in the blood drive was their way of giving back and replenishing the local blood supply.

The Embassy also partnered with the Filipino Community for a bloodletting activity in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Philippines-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations in August 2022. This year’s bloodletting drive witnessed an overwhelming response not just from the Filipinos in Cambodia but also from Filipino-owned establishments who donated food and snacks for the donors. The event also demonstrated the commitment of the Filipino Community in Cambodia to supporting the Cambodian community and promoting the spirit of volunteerism. END