Dengue Killing Spree — the Philippines is one of the tropical countries affected by the dengue virus. The number of people dying from such killer bite is getting higher every year.

August statistics show that there are 51,597 people afflicted over the Philippines. Sadly, 324 of those have died summing up to 0.63 percent fatality rate. This is extremely alarming compared to the cases last year which accounting to 293 deaths. It’s time to make a move and the government should be alarmed about this silent killer virus.

These tiny bloodsuckers and the virus they’re carrying afflicted most of the National Capital Region (22.24 percent), Calabarzon (14.08 percent) and Central Luzon (13.65 percent).

Blood for Blood Epidemic

An infected female aedes mosquito transmits the Dengue virus (DENV) – transmitted to the body through the blood stream. No one is safe with these mosquitos for it can smell 30 meters especially the carbon dioxide that you exhale. What makes these bloodsuckers more dangerous is that they hunt through the day – from sunrise to sunset. That’s why the only thing we at least do – is to clear all possible breeding grounds and wear repellants to keep them at bay.

Normally, an infected person feels the symptoms from 5 to 7 days ranging from 3 to 14 days. The symptom includes:

• Red eyes and eye pain
• Fever and flushed face
• Lower back pain
• Rashes in the arms and legs, and then spreads on the chest and lower abdomen
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Severe joints and muscle pain
• Weakness and headache

If the patient lefts untreated for a long period, they begin to develop red spots on the body and start to vomit blood due of internal hemorrhage. If still left untreated, this leads to death because the internal organs can no longer function because of extreme internal bleeding.

Your Blood Gives them a Chance to Live

Dengue is a self-limited illness and will only need supportive care however; these might not be true with aggravated cases and people with weak immune systems. Newly born babies and senior citizens will not have the same fight compared to young and fully-grown individuals. They may suffer from extreme red blood cell drop and this time you can lend a hand.

The Philippine Red Cross needs you more than ever. Donate to the Philippine Red Cross Blood Bank if you have enough rest for the day, no alcohol consumption for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation, fit and healthy to donate. Let’s help our brothers and sisters in their fight for life. Check out Red Cross’ guidelines on how to give blood.

Last April 5, 2012 while everybody was getting busy celebrating the Lenten Season the Youth with a Vision was also busy preparing for their first ever Run for a Cause. The Youth with a Vision is the youth organization of the Jesus Is Alive Community who is the main organizer of the said run for a cause.

This run for a cause was initiated by the international and local core leaders of the said organization along with the support of the local pastors. Why the organization did organize such an event on a Holy Thursday? The answer was simple; to be an influence to fellow youths that Jesus is alive and YWAV is willing to cater to their spiritual needs.

The Run for a cause started from the City’s Rotunda. The run had two categories: 2k and 5k. The 2k category started from the City’s rotunda up to the front of Kiosko Kagawasan (in front of Jollibee Divisoria) back to the City’s rotunda. The 5k category also started from the City’s rotunda. The turning point of the 5k category was in front of the Pelaez Sports Center and finishing at the City’s rotunda.

The run for a cause was participated by an estimate of 150 runners. The runners were mainly from the members of the organization and 20 of them were from the sponsors. The race started around 4PM and ended around 4:30PM. There were three winners for each category. Each winner received a medal, certificate and cash prize.

The proceeds of the said event would go for the future activities of the organization. They will be having summer trainings for singing, dancing, bass guitar, guitar, drums and other instruments to name. They would also impart the said proceeds for the improvement of other YWAV organizations outside Cagayan de Oro.

The Youth with a Vision is just one of the many active youth organizations here in Cagayan de Oro City that is willing to make a change and go beyond borders of imagination. Though, they cater most of the spiritual needs of the youth it didn’t stopped them to make a difference.

Tomorrow, July 23, 2011, at 6pm, runners from all over Cagayan de Oro and neighboring towns and cities will gather at SM City Cagayan de Oro for a night fun run. Wellness Run 2011 is organized by Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon (ALNP) with the help of Pueblo de Oro and SM City. The night run is for a good cause as the proceeds will be given to St. Ignatius Hospice Foundation and will benefit their terminally ill patients.

Registration started last June 25 and will end today, July 22, at the SM City ground floor area and Style N’ Motion along Pabayo-Gomez Sts.

The top three finishers will receive cash rewards, while gift certificates will also be handed out as special awards. Recognition will be given to the youngest/oldest runner, the most number of runners from the private sector and other similarly significant awards.

For those who would like to catch up with the registration, or who would simply like to witness this worthwhile endeavor, you may check out the Wellness Fun Run FB page by clicking on this link. You may also want to send the organizers as email through WellnessRun2011@yahoo.com.

It’s never too late if you want to have fun and help out a good cause!

-Maia Fortich-Poblete-

July 9 will mark the day when dedicated runners from all over the country will converge in Cagayan de Oro for the first ever CDO-Dahilayan 55K Ultra Marathon. Dubbed “Race Against Time. Race Against Nature. Race With the Finest”, the CDO-Dahilayan Ultra Marathon promises to live up to this title by bringing runners to a trail that mixes paved and dirt roads, and then goes uphill and downhill. It, however, also mixes in breathtaking sceneries, like the Del Monte pineapple fields.

Organized by Cagayan Circle Productions Incorporated, the starting point of the race is Rodelsa Circle and the gun start is 4:00 am. After 55 kilometers, runners will find a treat waiting for them at the trail’s end: the Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Since it is known for its zipline, each runner will get the chance to zip away in the longest zipline in Asia – all 840 meters of it!

Last Saturday, June 25, a trial run was conducted. One of the participants gladly shared his tips for the 55K runners, especially those who are first timers. Since the trail is challenging, with all the loose rocks and uneven roads, runners should take into consideration the climate (although Bukidnon is basically Baguio-like in weather, the starting point – CDO – may be a bit humid, unless it rains!); the terrain; hydration and elevation. If one is trained in extreme sports, however, everything will be an exciting adventure. As always, though, one must be physical fit and ready for the run.

For those who still cannot decide whether they would join or not, you better make up your mind as race day is fast approaching. Registration fee is at Php2,000 (which was Php200 cheaper until the end of May) and this includes a carbo loading party on July 7, a free zipline ride, a shuttle ride from Dahilayan to CDO, finisher’s jacket and a medal.

Here are the specifics of the 55K ultra marathon adventure:

Date: July 9, 2011 (Saturday)

Assembly Time: 3:00 am

Starting Point: Rodelsa Circle

Gun Start: 4:00 am

Cut-Off Time: 12 hours

Finish Line: Dahilayan Adventure Park

There are designated registration centers in Manila and Cebu. For those who are in Manila, registration is at a runner’s circle in Roxas Blvd; while the Cebu registration center is at Vivo Barefoot in Ayala Center. Here in Cagayan de Oro, runners can register at Max’s Restaurant along Tiano-Chavez Sts and La Cabana Spa along C.M. Recto highway.

For those who would like to enjoy the Dahilayan experience a little longer, excellent accommodation facilities are provided via the Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, which is located inside the adventure park. You can choose from family rooms (good for 6 people), deluxe rooms (good for 3 people) or standard rooms (good for 2 persons). Reservations can be made through 0922-8801319.

The CDO-Dahilayan 55K Ultra Marathon is also brought to you by Dahilayan Adventure Park.

-Maia Fortich-Poblete-