View source for UP Red Cross Youth

[[Image:UPRCY.jpg|200px|thumb|right|UP RCY Logo]]

The University of the Philippines Red Cross Youth (UP RCY) is a university-wide, student-led, socio-civic organization based in UP - Diliman, Quezon City.


The organization's members come from all walks of life, and are students from the undergraduate and graduate levels of the different colleges of the university. The differences that arise from such a varied membership are reconciled under the organization's principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. This diversity has served to power the organization's capacity to take on various projects and advocacies.

==History==

The organization was established in September 2 1992 by Butch Ong, Nols del Rosario, and Noel Quiba with close ties to the UP ROTC. For several years, membership to the organization was invitational. However, due to the need to promulgate the first aid and basic life support know-how, the UPRCY was opened for application. Since then, the organization has trained ordinary students to make a difference.

==Objectives==

•	To work towards values formation and character building.

•	To promote service and solidarity.

•	To uphold the protection of life and the promotion of health.

•	To promote national and international friendship.

•	To disseminate the Red Cross ideals and the International Humanitarian Law.

==Services==

The organization promotes youth volunteerism and civic mindedness through three core services: blood programs, medical mission projects, and community development projects.

===Blood Programs===

The blood programs of UP RCY address the advocacy for greater public awareness of the lack of blood supply in blood banks in the Philippines, and the importance of free and safe blood donation as a means of addressing this problem. This involves organizing blood seminars, blood lettings, and blood awareness drives. The organization is also spearheading a blood network called Dugong Bayani between university-based organizations as well as organizations and individuals that extend outside the university. For more information about the blood network, like us on [Facebook][http://www.facebook.com/DugongBayani] or follow us on [Twitter][http://twitter.com/Dugong_Bayani].

===Medical Missions===

The medical mission projects of UP RCY meanwhile address the advocacy of immediate medical relief to depressed communities. Medical missions are held at least twice a year by the organization.

The organization also holds relief operations for communities stricken by natural disasters.

===Community Development Projects===

The community development projects of UP RCY on the other hand address the advocacy for long-term and sustainable development in communities. This involves data gathering, community profiling, community adoption, organizing, holding seminars, and other relevant activities.

===First Aid Trainings and Services===

UP RCY members are required to undergo trainings in First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) to equip them with the means to respond to first aid and related health emergencies. This is in line with the organization's basic humanitarian ideals. First Aid and BLS knowhow are translated into service through manning first aid booths by request such as in the annual UP Fair.

===Development Activities===

Members also have the opportunity to take part in activities that ensure their holistic development such as finger painting, ice skating, jogging sessions, baking, and other stress-relieving activities. Creative and linguistically-inclined members channel their talents by staffing the organization's official publication, Pulse. Musically-inclined members on the other hand participate in the choral activities of the UPRCY Crooners, the organization's official caroling group formed each December to bring holiday cheer.

[[Category: UP Diliman]] [[Category: Student Organizations|Red Cross Youth]]

===External links===
*[http://www.upredcrossyouth.org] - official website
*[http://www.facebook.com/UPRCY] - official Facebook page
*[http://twitter.com/uprcy] - official Twitter account
*[http://www.facebook.com/groups/UPRedCrossYouth] - Facebook group exclusive to members and alumni
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UPRCY] - Yahoo group exclusive to members and alumni
*[http://uprcypulse.blogspot.com/] - Pulse, UP RCY's official publication

===Publications===
*[http://issuu.com/pulse_uprcy/docs/pulse09final] - 2009 "Racing Pulse" issue