Written by Phomela Jane Hermogeno and Aiesha Daquioag
Seventy-seven units of blood, each carrying the potential to save lives, were collected as students, faculty, alumni, staff, and community members united for the Dugong UBiano Blood Donation Drive on June 17, 2026, reaffirming the University of Baguio’s commitment to health, volunteerism, and community service.
Promoting health, volunteerism, and community partnership, the University of Baguio School of Natural Sciences (UB-SNS), in collaboration with the University of Baguio School of Nursing (UB-SON), The S.A.L.U.N.-A.T. Initiative, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET), UBSN ECOS, and the University of Baguio School of Nursing Red Cross Youth (UBSN-RCY), successfully conducted the event on June 17, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the third floor of the UB FGB Building.
The university-wide health outreach initiative encouraged voluntary blood donation among the campus community and the public while supporting the continuous supply of safe blood for patients in need. The event sought to collect at least 100 units of blood, raise awareness of the life-saving importance of donation, encourage active participation in health outreach initiatives, and cultivate a stronger culture of volunteerism and community service within the University.
Throughout the activity, participants underwent donor registration and medical screening before proceeding with the blood donation process. In addition to blood collection, attendees received health education on the importance of voluntary blood donation and benefited from free physical therapy services, making the event both educational and physically beneficial to the UB community. Health and safety protocols were strictly implemented throughout the activity to ensure the well-being of donors, volunteers, and healthcare professionals.
The initiative provided a valuable contribution to the local blood bank, helping strengthen the region’s supply of safe blood for patients requiring transfusions. Individuals who were temporarily deferred due to medical eligibility requirements received appropriate guidance and were encouraged to participate in future blood donation drives once they met the necessary criteria.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals—the initiative reinforced the importance of voluntary blood donation as a life-saving practice while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and student-led initiatives. It also promoted health awareness, civic engagement, and volunteerism by encouraging participants to become active contributors to public health efforts.
More than just a health campaign, the Dugong UBiano Blood Donation Drive demonstrated the power of collective action in promoting health and serving the community. By bringing together a diverse coalition of students, faculty, healthcare professionals, partner organizations, alumni, staff, and community members for a shared humanitarian purpose, the activity strengthened partnerships, fostered a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility, and reaffirmed the University of Baguio’s commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impacts beyond the classroom.
