Blood drive continues with WeLoveU and PRC

• Source:https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1816495
• Thursday, August 1, 2019

By JO ANN SABLAD

FULFILLING its major aim to save people whose lives are threatened by blood shortages, an international welfare organization from Korea organized a worldwide blood drive to enhance the community's awareness of the value and need of blood donations.

The International WeLoveU Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations and the Philippine Red Cross, held its 305th Worldwide Blood Drive last Sunday, July 28, at the second floor of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

The blood drive was done simultaneously throughout the nation through the different branches of the foundation all over the Philippines.

According to Yoo Rae Kyun, branch manager of the International WeLoveU Foundation in Cagayan de Oro, the organization has 22 branches with almost 10,000 members nationwide.

In Mindanao, apart from Cagayan de Oro, they also have branches in Davao, General Santos, Pagadian, and Butuan.

The International WeLoveU Foundation aims to achieve the voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation and takes multifaceted approaches to conduct life-saving efforts.

"The International WeLoveU Foundation, we share the true love to our neighbor by giving our precious blood so we can save many people. It is the purpose to have this event," Yoo Rae Kyun said.

"I want to give thanks to our members who voluntarily give their precious blood to save many people. Really, I encourage this to our whole members," he added.

Aside from the people who voluntarily participated in the blood drive, some of the 200 members of the International WeLoveU Foundation in Cagayan de Oro, who passed the screening test, also donated their blood.

Hazel Veloz, member of the International WeLoveU Foundation in Cagayan de Oro, said the total number of blood drive participants reached more than a hundred.

Apart from blood drives, the foundation also conducts clean-up drives as part of its Save the Earth campaign.

Last June 25, the organization had its clean-up drive in Cogon, Cagayan de Oro City.

The International WeLoveU Foundation, officially launched in Korea in 2001, carries out global charitable activities so that people in neighboring countries who are facing difficulties due to disasters and poverty, among others, may live in peace, being respected without discrimination beyond nationality, race, language, and culture.

"The WeLoveU Foundation carries out volunteer services with a heart of a mother," Veloz said.

As an international non-government organization, the WeLoveU Foundation is associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications and helps achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.