Hundreds of Puerto Ricans join the 8th International Marathon to save lives
As part of the Integral Program: Life is in the Blood, which is executed by the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace (GEAP), GEAP volunteers from Puerto Rico, carried out a blood drive on the premises of Fraternity Gama Sigma Phi in Cayey.
This campaign was supported by the Banco de Sangre del Centro Médico (ASEM), and with the assistance of hundreds of Puerto Ricans that joined in to save the lives of those people that need a blood transfusion.
Ada Justiniano Soto, the manager of the Banco de Sangre del Centro Médico, showed her satisfaction towards the activity carried out in the city and encouraged the citizens to make the decision of contributing to society by donating blood.
“The need for blood is very important. There is an accident every day and every day there is a person that needs a blood, platelet, plasma or cryoprecipitate unit,” expressed Soto.
Prevention Activity
During the marathon, an analysis was carried out about the Zika virus, since there are 32,740 registered cases in the Island, including 2,516 cases of pregnant women.
The collected blood units will go through a process (between 48 to 72 hours) to guarantee safe blood, and thus prevent the transmission of the Zika fever.
Solidarity hero testimonies
Miguel Perez, a voluntary and regular donor (14 years donating blood), participated in the marathon; this anonymous hero understands the importance that donating blood has in society. He expressed:
“I know saving lives is a good thing, by donating my blood I know it will save lives, and that makes me feel very happy.”
Christian Salvador Montañer reflected on this solidarity action that allows saving the lives of other people. He stated:
“Helping other people makes me feel good; the country needs blood and it is a very good action.”
Eneida Santiago showed her satisfaction of helping people that need this vital liquid to be able to continue living. She commented:
“I donate to help people that need blood.”
Positive results
A total of 150 effective blood units was the result of this marathon, which forms part of the 8th International Marathon “Life is in the Blood,” where Puerto Ricans answered the call and donated the sap of life.
The Activists for Peace aim to surpass the numbers of the 7th International Marathon, in order to further promote a culture of blood donation, in order to guarantee the supply of blood and its components to all those who require it.
Integral Program
The blood donation marathons make up the second component of the Integral Program: Life is in the Blood, which promotes solidarity, respect for human dignity, the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens.
The GEAP in Puerto Rico will continue to carry out the campaigns of blood donation in order to contribute to the formation of a voluntary, altruistic and habitual culture of blood donation, to increase the active and effective participation of citizens.
