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26 The SPiCE Magazine • July 2019 The SPiCE Magazine • July 2019 27

Saved by SPi Global’s

Beyond the Call of Duty

Blood Donation Drive By Genesis Dimatulac

By Maria Leva Lack of access to basic needs continue to affect those
who live in poverty. As well, the irrefutable effects
of climate change threaten and compound the hard-
ships of vulnerable populations. It is in this context that
SPi Global exercises its Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) initiatives. Through its CSR efforts, employee
volunteers tackle these pressing issues in affected
communities and create a ripple of hope.

For this year, SPi Global expanded its CSR programs
with the promise of making them more sustainable
and more impactful. With the primary aim of promoting
welfare and education, employee volunteers across all
offices set out to penetrate marginalized communities
“You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” This thought kept replaying in my mind as and introduce information technology to children and
my husband and I scrambled for contacts who can immediate supply us with three bags of B+ blood. My father- adults alike, implement feeding programs and other
in-law has been suffering from internal bleeding caused by liver cirrhosis for more than 12 hours. He could go health-related initiatives, and spearhead clean-up
into shock from blood loss. We needed blood donations fast, lest we lose him. I never imagined being in this drives and various environmental conservation and
situation. Often, we express our concern and sympathy for friends and acquaintances who are desperately look- preservation activities.
ing for blood donors, but retreat to our comfortable bubble afterwards, away from worries.
For instance, SPi Global India conducted various
Our relatives readily expressed willingness to donate blood, and we were very thankful. However, our patient fundraising initiatives to gather support for its CSR
couldn’t wait for many hours of blood testing and extraction. Our only hope then was Red Cross, which also activities. These include plant selling and setting up
required blood donors for replenishment of the donated blood. Our donors were in our hometown, many miles juke boxes and food stalls. CSR teams visited schools,
away from the city. This could mean hours of waiting. orphanages, shelters, and senior homes to conduct fun
and heartwarming activities. Not minding the cold weather, SPi Global China employees do-
Our angel came in the form of SPi Global’s CSR blood drive. nated electronic equipment to a partner school and shared their

After I informed Red Cross personnel that I am from SPi Global and that the blood will be replenished by the SPi Global Vietnam reached out to four beneficiary IT skills. Meanwhile, volunteers from SPi Global Maine collected
incoming second run of this year’s blood drive, they immediately handed me the required blood for transfusion. institutions: an old age home and three schools. Several and organized donations for children in need. The Nicaragua
Within minutes, we were ready for the procedure. teams established internet connectivity in the former, team went to a partner orphanage and conducted learning ac-
then taught IT and held feeding programs to school tivities, repaired computers, participated in a cleanup drive, and
Even though we had family members and friends who were willing to help, looking for donor blood has been children. They also took part in street cleaning as part rehabilitated the orphanage’s playground.

excruciating. SPi Global’s CSR blood drive made our situation a lot less heavy to bear and gave us peace of mind. of the company’s environmental initiatives.
It is a huge relief to know that we can always run to Red Cross for emergencies through SPi Global’s efforts. Around the globe, employee volunteers happily work for a noble
In the Philippines, SPi Global helped install smart cause, lending a helping hand and bringing joy and happiness to
My father-in-law got better and recovered from the bleeding in his stomach. Although we only had a few more classrooms and computer libraries with the aim of those in need - all beyond the call of duty. It is in this true spirit
weeks before he passed on, we were able to spend precious moments with him that we will forever remember, introducing and promoting IT to schools and partner of volunteerism that employees commit to continuously reach
and it was because of the blood we acquired through SPi Global. It made me realize how important blood dona- organizations. Volunteers also conducted cleanup out to less privileged, raise awareness on their plight, and work
tions. It saves people’s lives, even those we do not know. drives in select sites. for the greater good, one community at a time.