Damayan: The legacy continues

The legacy left by Philippine STAR founding chairwoman Betty Go-Belmonte continues as Operation Damayan resumed its annual blood-letting project the other day in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross.

STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte led employees in donating blood to the Red Cross.

"This is our way of helping them," he said. "Aside from our cash donation, our employees participate in the project so people would feel they’re doing something aside from contributing financially."

The Red Cross needs P120 million each year to cover expenses, but the government has allocated only P12 million.

The blood-letting project was suspended last year due to the scare triggered by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in several countries.

A Damayan volunteer said they were supposed to hold the project at a later date, in time for The STAR’s foundation anniversary on July 18, "but since it is the Valentine’s season, which is symbolized by the color red, we thought it was okay to hold it now."

Sixty-five STAR employees donated blood to the Red Cross. Many more wanted to donate but were not allowed by doctors who screened potential donors. Most of them were denied because they were anemic, suffered from high or low blood pressure, had allergies, or recently had a tooth extracted.

The blood-letting project collected a total of 29,250 cc. of blood, which will be stored at the Red Cross blood bank.

Actress Maybelline dela Cruz, youth spokeswoman for the Red Cross’ Pledge 25 Project, was also present at yesterday’s bloodletting. She has pledged to donate blood every three months until she reaches the age of 25.

Red Cross governor Rosa Rosal said she was so happy the blood-letting project has been resumed.

"The STAR has always been special to me. I have always admired (Betty Go-Belmonte), who was an active member of the Red Cross board. She was a personal friend, too," she said.

Rosal, who has been a volunteer for 54 years, said she was thankful that the younger Belmonte has continued his mother’s acts of charity.

"He does not only give money, he shares some of his blood, too," she said.

Rosal said one experience motivated her to participate in charity work — she met a boy who was confined at the Philippine General Hospital after he fell from a building.

"I talked to the neurologist and witnessed how blood donations from strangers could save a life," she said.

Rosal added that she was happy that the Red Cross enjoys tremendous support from people, including those from The STAR.

Operation Damayan was originally created to help victims of calamities, but through the years its volunteers have also reached out to children in need, organized medical missions, repaired school buildings, given away scholarships to deserving students, and gave gifts to indigent families during the Christmas season. In 1998, Damayan volunteers started working hand in hand with the Red Cross.