CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Marcus Gatbonton, a non-INC nursing student from Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, shared his joy as he attended the blood donation drive organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, on February 8, 2025.

“I was really amazed because I didn’t know that the Iglesia Ni Cristo organizes such events to help people in need,” said Gatbonton.

Being a nursing student, Gatbonton’s primary purpose for attending the event was to observe the activity, but decided to also donate blood to help those in need in his community.

Dr. Arvin Sarmiento, a representative from the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJGMRMC), the partner hospital for the event, explained that the community is currently facing a significant blood supply shortage, and they are thankful for the event and for those who participated.

“[We use] more than 100 blood bags [in just one day]. So, we are truly grateful to the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo who donated blood. Their generosity is of great help to our fellow citizens in urgent need,” Dr. Sarmiento expressed.

Meanwhile, Gatbonton was awed with the joy that people felt after donating blood.

“They really went here to donate. They are aware that they will be able to help other people. I saw [a woman] earlier, after she donated blood. She was smiling,” he  said.

The INC conducts blood donation activities to help various communities in the Philippines and abroad, in fulfillment of God’s commandment to help those in need. 

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is a Christian religion and community partner with active members and congregations in over 160 countries and territories, representing more than 150 nationalities and ethnicities.

For more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net