Hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease are two very nasty blood conditions.

There are some 8,000 Filipino men with hemophilia, while about 900,000 men and women have Von Willebrand Disease. Both are bleeding disorders.

IN the Philippines 6,000 to 8,000 men are believed afflicted with hemophilia, but only 1,010 of them have been diagnosed with the disease. There are also 900,000 men and women who have Von Willebrand Disease (VWD), but only 26 of them have been identified. Experts say people die or bleed to death young
-  or are dying without knowing what their diseases are.

Do you have a child or a family member who has such sensitive skin that even a simple scratch, bruise or bumps may cause continuous bleeding? Is he or she experiencing prolonged bleeding while brushing his or her teeth, or after a cut, tooth removal, surgery or an accident? Do his or her joints in the legs and arms swell in pain?

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder and mostly exclusively inherited by men. The mothers are usually the carriers of the disease. It is a rare genetic disorder that prevents blood from forming an affective clot.

THE symptoms of Von Willebrand Disease are easy bruising, frequent or prolonged nose bleeds, bleeding from gums, prolonged bleeding from minor cuts, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding on women, bleeding in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, and prolonged bleeding following injury, surgery, dental work or child birth.

“Von Willebrand affects men and women equally. There’s a huge problem for women—if they start menstruating, rather than having the period for seven days, they bleed 14 to 20 days a month. They can’t go to school, they become anemic, they can’t find jobs, and it’s dangerous for them to have children,” she explained.

“Unfortunately, there are no facilities in the Philippines that can diagnose Von Willebrand Disease. We were told the tests are quite complex that they need special reagents and machines. The technology is only available either in Hong Kong or Singapore in Asia,” Echavez said.
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The above information contained in an article written by Sara Fabunan – Wednesday Oct 15 2008
for the “Business Mirror – Online Space”. Link to original article:

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=442:there-will-be-blood&catid=32:life

Laureen A. Kelly is the co-founder of “Project Share” – helping those who have these diseases.
She can be reached at: www.Kellycom.com

Blood donation is the cheapest way you can save someone’s life. It just take a few minutes time and one bottle blood from your body to save precious lives. The blood you donate helps an unknown brother/sister. Blood donation is worth more than any other charity you do. Many donors give blood only when family and friends need transfusions. Have you thought why people are more reluctant to give blood? . One of the reasons is the fear of getting harmful diseases from the un-sterilized needle’s use. The only way to attract a lot of people into blood donation is bringing more and more awareness. Every drop of blood is precious. Finally let’s us all take an promise “We will donate blood once in six months”.

- Cijo Abraham

There are a lot of people creating groups and associations that primarily aims to donate blood and save life. But are you one of them? Do you really care of donating blood? How far have you been trying to help lives with your blood?

These are some question that might felt by the people who are donating their blood. People who are creating a world of giving. People who do not need to be paid in exchange of their blood. People who are willing to help. People who care for other’s life.

- Pwengbee

For some a blood donation is a gift of life – an offering to the community and to the people who need it. In a study conducted by the National Blood Foundation in the US, it was found that most people who donate blood do it to help others. Quite a few said that they do it in order to feel good about themselves and as a way of paying back the society for the times that their family members needed transfusions in the past. Whatever your purpose is, one thing is sure – you are helping someone.
Of course, if you are donating blood, you need to be healthy and well rested. Also, you need to avoid fatty foods and make sure that you have some food to eat before the actual blood donation. Alcohol and medication should be avoided at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
After donating blood, the doctor (sometimes a volunteer) will give you advice on what you should do. It is important that you follow these to keep yourself healthy. You will need to drink plenty of fluids like water or juice as you can become dehydrated after donating. In most cases, you will have to refrain from stooping down to avoid blood from getting to your head which could make you dizzy. Also, you will feel a little week after donating blood so you need to avoid strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects and driving vehicles. It is important that you avoid lifting heavy objects using the puncture arm in order to avoid accidents.

If you experience bleeding on the punctured arm, apply pressure on the site. You might also experience discoloration and swelling on the site, for this, apply cold compress for 24 hours, and hot compress for the next 24 hours. If you still feel dizzy after donating blood, lie down with your feet elevated and drink plenty of fluids. Do not be afraid, these are all normal and will soon pass. If it helps, keep in mind that you are doing a good thing and a little dizziness is all you have to endure.

In his condition, it requires blood transfusion and requires a lot of individuals to donate blood to cope up with his scheduled blood transfusion in the future. That’s why having a website like the Philippines Blood Registry in the Philippines that allows you to search for blood donors in the future is a convenience for both the patients and families of the patients.

- Gurl Mingot

The child’s blood was everywhere on the street. The mother and driver appeared in shock.  Someone called an ambulance. It was a small town – the transport was there in minutes. The child and mother were to be taken to the small hospital in the next larger town.

Some of the bystanders exchanged contact information.
We got back in our car and continued our trip.

Later someone wrote and said there had been massive internal damage.  The hospital didn’t have enough of the child’s blood type on hand to sustain the emergency operations. They tried to quickly find more blood somewhere – anywhere. By the time donors were located – time had run out. There was no further need to donate.

It only took a second for the accident to happen. It took more then half a day to try and find donors of the correct blood type. Better idea: identify donors in advance of the need.

Gilda

Editor’s Note: Help build the national online database of individual’s willing to donate blood in the event of a future accident – operation – illness. It’s dumb to waste lives because information wasn’t organized in advance – made available with a mouse click. www.PhilippinesBloodRegistry.com

Tell members of your local Medical community about the Registry. They’re the ones that have to watch in frustration as a life slowly fades.

People are scared of donating blood because it’s not painless and many are scared of needles and the thought that a one inch needle would be pricked into their veins just doesn’t sound too appealing to many.  It is scary but if you just think about the lives you get to save just by making that little sacrifice, suddenly it will dawn on you that there is a great need for blood donations and your contribution can truly save another person’s life. After all, it’s just one little prick and after donating blood you can just go on with your life.

Think about it. What have you done in your day that is significant?  Would there be any act that is more righteous than saving another person’s life? Much more, saving a stranger’s life without getting anything in return?  It’s a sacrifice that truly defines your character as a person.

Also, when you get to donate blood you are entitled of the same amount of blood that you can request once you or your loved ones would be in need of some blood as well. So, donating blood is really of a double purpose. You get to save a stranger’s life and you can also save yours or your loved one’s life when it’s your turn to be in desperate need of blood supply.

There is a constant need for blood donations. More blood is needed everyday. You can save a life today by making that decision to go and donate some blood.

- Eli

Now a days, many community services were formed in order to help those people who need blood. In the developed world, blood donations arise in order to help those people who are in need of blood and there are also donors that can also have their blood drawn for their own future use. When we say blood donations, it is when a healthy person voluntarily has blood drawn. The person who gives their blood for a community supply is called the blood donors. Mostly blood donors are unpaid volunteers who give as an act of charity. Some donors give blood only when family and friends need transfusions.

Potential donors are evaluated whether their blood is unsafe to use or not because blood transfusion may cause transmitted disease like HIV or Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis which includes the hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. There is also a physical examination to those potential donors to make sure that the donation is not harmful to their health before the donation is done. In an examination, they also check whether you have a tattoo or not, if you have, you cannot make a donation because having a tattoo, your blood is considered as unclean. One thing that the donors should bear into their mind that “when they give blood, they save life”.

Aiza Artillero

If this is only true then we won’t be hearing about blood letting campaigns of both private and public organizations. For the fact that more than half of the population of the Philippines can donate blood. But in contrary almost 10% of this are only are qualified to donate. As we all know that many people are suffering from diseases and other factors that hinders them to be a qualified blood donor.

2. It hurts.

Yes it is but it does a little. As some of the sign says ‘Parang kagat lang nang langgam!’. But the it is funny to tell that it hurts more than that its like an ear piercing but only done briefly. What hurts more is looking at someone you care about needing a blood but its not there.

3. Maybe next time.

It only takes 30 to 45 minutes when donating a blood. The longer process here is to determine whether you are a qualified blood donor or not. But come to think of it accidents may happened unexpectedly. So it is an advantage that you already have a blood card for you to secure blood any moment you need it.

4. They ask embarrassing questions.

Maybe you are referring to questions which are very personal. This people deals with this matter professionally and have no any other intentions but to ensure a safe blood supply for our patients and a safe donation experience for our donors

5. I might be infected with other disease during the process.

Only trained professionals such as doctors and nurses facilitates this activity. Every piece of equipment are sterilized to ensure the safety of the donors and to prevent any untoward things that may happen.

6. I am taking medicines, so I can’t donate.

Maybe you’re right. Maybe you’re not. Just ask the right person about this.

7. I’m too old or too young.

There is no longer an upper age limit for donation. As long as you are healthy and weighs at least 50 kilos or 110 pounds, you can donate a blood. If you’re under 17. But once you turn 17, if you’re healthy and weighs at least 50 kilos or 110 pounds, you can be a hero. Hero because when you donate blood you save lives.

Written by Ryan T. Prader (angat ang pinoy)

Today, here in Pangasinan, there is another Dengue outbreak especially in Calasiao where there are more than 100 cases.  The other day, there was a blood donation campaign held in San Miguel Calasiao.  Every blood donor receives 1 kilo of rice and a pack of grocery items.

Blood donations help a lot of indigent patients who really needed it fast.  So let us support blood donation campaigns, and if possible, let us donate blood to save lives.

SuperCyvershop

Blood donation give life to people that need blood and for sickness like Leukemia, car accidents, etc. The purpose of this Directive is to set standards of quality and safety for blood and blood components throughout the blood transfusion chain. If you need blood, it’s a good place to turn to. It’s simple. It’s effective. It’s Free. It can match you with a donor near you in minutes. And you hopefully can help save the life of a person. Aspects for blood donors is healthy and discussed as part of the donation process for any blood collected. Every donor will receives brief examination during which temperature, blood pressure, pulse, blood count are measured before donating a blood. Each donor with an acute infection is [are] not allowed to donate blood. The reason is must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmissible by blood. Some illness are acceptable as long as you feel well and good conditions under good control, and you have an adequate hemoglobin level and your temperature is normal and time for donate blood, and meet other eligibility requirements. Donation of blood would be of immense use to protect the lives from death and help poor people.

Rose Sobrevega

They don’t give blood now – they register to donate later if there is a specific need.
Means precious time is not wasted looking for maybe donors after there is a critical need. You identify prospective donors before there is an emergency crisis.