Every first week of October, we celebrate the National Newborn Screening week (Presidential Proclamation 540, signed January 2004). And as a volunteer of VYLH (Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health), I did some volunteer works at the hospital, telling people (especially the pregnant moms) to screen their babies 24-72 hrs after birth in order to detect genetic disorders and treat them before it's too late.
Several volunteers across the country have their own perks and activities during the National Newborn Screening Week. From the simplest act of distributing pink brochures and giving free lectures about the campaign to the grandiose Pink Day Campaign initiated by Joan Barredo of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Some of my co-volunteers, like Chessa Chan and her friends even ventured to the far-flung barangays and health centers of Iligan City to relay the pertinent information about the importance of New Born Screening.
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| The Pink Campaign led by Joan Barredo of Ateneo de Zamboanga City |
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| NBS Campaign at Iligan City led by Chessa Chan |
It was such a fulfilling activity, knowing that we have actually saved lives.
I have been an active volunteer of VYLH for more than a year already and I can say that I have a learned A LOT from it.
In line with the NBS Week, the New Born Screening Center Mindanao together with the volunteers of Region 11 conducted its first Reunion of Saved Babies activity held at Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City.
