Blood drive slated for next Tuesday at Auxilio Mutuo

By THE STAR STAFF

Given the pattern of declining blood donations during the summer months, Hospital Auxilio Mutuo and Banco de Sangre Servicios Mutuos announced a blood collection day that will take place next Tuesday, June 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 9th floor of Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in Hato Rey.

The initiative, which commemorates Blood Donor Month, seeks to strengthen the blood reserves available to meet the needs of patients who require transfusions during surgeries, medical treatments and emergency situations. The call will be open to employees, visitors, family members of patients, outpatients, and community members who wish to join the solidarity effort.

“Ensuring an adequate supply of blood is essential,” said Dr. Cristián Rodríguez Arocho, who chairs the Transfusion Committee at Auxilio Mutuo. “It is not only about responding to emergencies, but also about sustaining treatments and procedures that depend directly on this resource on a daily basis.” 

Dr. Gerardo Latoni, medical director of the Mutual Services Blood Bank, stressed the importance of citizen participation to maintain healthy reserves throughout the year.

“During the summer we observed a drop in the participation of donors, without a reduction in the need for blood in hospitals,” he said. “For this reason, we call on you to donate voluntarily and recurrently. …”