The Dinagyang Blood Olympics was held for the first time at Central Philippine University’s Alumni Promenade and Concert Park on January 22 to 23, 2018. The Blood Olympics was a concerted effort of the Philippine Red Cross, CPU, and the Dinagyang Foundation.

Six schools and universities in Iloilo City participated in the event: John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Arevalo, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo, St. Therese MTC Colleges – Magdalo, Iloilo Doctors College, St. Therese MTC Colleges – La Fiesta, and CPU. The schools competed among themselves to raise the most number of blood units of 500 cc per blood donor. Overall, there were 80 blood donors from six participating schools—delivering a total of 490 units (blood bags). The collected bags of blood were to be distributed to hospitals for use in the Dinagyang Festival in case of need or emergency.

“There may be serious incidents in the festival that requires emergency medical treatments so standby blood packs are needed,” according to Iloilo Blood Bank Manager Dr. Denise Roy Pasadilla. The unused blood units will be stacked at the Red Cross blood bank.

According to Mr. Jojee Roy Juarez, CPU Red Cross Youth Adviser, the blood collection on the first day is consigned to the inter-school competition, while blood collected on the second day would be acknowledged as CPU’s donation to the Red Cross.