HONORING A FATHER ON FATHER’S DAY

While thanking my friends through an email, I remembered one of my friends’ Dad. I read his Dad’s name printed at the top row, fourth column on a large brass plate at the Philippine National Red Cross building in Port Area. Those in the list were there because they donated at least 50 bags of their precious, life-saving blood.

So I sent an email to my friend. He responded saying his Dad donated blood more than 150 times. Oh, that's one for the books - one that requires a fervent sense of purpose and commitment. Since blood donation is as frequent as every quarter, his Dad could have donated blood consistently for about 40 years.

I postulated that the sense of mission of my friend’s Dad is rooted in a profound personal experience. I later learned that his (Dad’s) mother died due to loss of blood when she gave birth to him (Dad). My friend also related the story of his Dad’s College of Law classmate who could have survived an accident if he had blood transfusion.

My friend’s Dad is a great person. I wondered how much greater he could have been if he grew up with a doting mother around. Back in high school, our whole class (and more) frequented their home. We noisily frolicked in their swimming pool, boisterously played in their basketball court, often times raiding their refrigerator. Such a warm, caring and loving home. And though I haven’t personally met my friend’s Dad, I knew we each have a place in his big, big heart - including our individual mischief.

Why am I honoring my friend’s Dad and not mine? I am honoring him as a symbol of the many great Dads out there, including mine. I’m honoring him as a representative of those who regularly donate blood and, in effect give the gift of love and life. Few do so as a matter of duty, but many do so with a sense of purpose and as an act of love. In the same manner, some Dads are Dads as a matter of duty, but most are Dads because of a sense of purpose and love.

When my daughter was sick of leukemia, she needed multiple blood transfusions. We had to scour for blood donors when the blood bank is short of stock. In cases of platelet transfusion, we needed a live donor. Looking for a donor, especially when you have exhausted your friends and relatives, can be tiresome and tedious. Beyond using your charm, the donor should have a desire and commitment to save life.

In the two years that my daughter needed blood, we experienced a very efficient system at the Red Cross national office. We called the Red Cross office up, placed a request, asked confirmation when the blood is available, then took it at the appointed time. More important than the dedicated employees, the system worked most of the time because of committed donors like my friend’s Dad.

We count ourselves very fortunate for having good, loving and caring friends. And we count it a blessing that our friends have great Dads - who made our friends as great or greater.

Happy Fathers Day to all great fathers out there.