To promote humanitarianism through blood donation among its citizens, the Municipality of Binalonan conducted a bloodletting activity on Aug. 24 at the Events Tent, Binalonan Rock Garden.

Sixty-five qualified blood donors were able to participate in the activity. Some were members of the Regional Mobile Force of San Roque, San Manuel, Pangasinan and Provincial Mobile Force of Tayug, Pangasinan, and DELTA COM.

Municipal employees, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, teachers, rural health workers, and private citizens also joined the event.

Chief of Police of Binalonan PCI Arvin Gomez Jacob, Municipal Physician Framila Dela Cruz, SB Secretary Janet Flores, and some Rural Health Unit staff assisted the Red Cross Urdaneta personnel in the activity.

According to medical experts, bloodletting may help stave of illnesses, may reduce risk for cancer, reduces hardening of the arteries, reduces heart attack risks, may improve insulin sensitivity, thus decreasing risk for type 2 diabetis, and burn calories.

A blood donor must be at least 18 years old, weighs at least 110 pounds, and with good health. One can donate his or her blood 3 times a year, every 112 days.

It can be recalled that in June 2016, Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico III, Vice Mayor Melicio Patague II, and the municipal councilors, all dressed up as vampires, promoted the municipal government’s bloodletting program in celebration of the World Blood Donors Month.