Abstract
Blood donation shortages remain a critical challenge in the Philippines, with over one million units needed annually despite widespread willingness among youth. Hospitals such as Makati Medical Center illuminated their buildings with red lights in June 2025 to signal blood bank shortages. Senior high school students represent a promising demographic for addressing this crisis, yet many remain reluctant to donate due to misconceptions and psychological barriers. As a result, a significant gap persists between intention and action in this population. This study employs a mixed‑methods design to investigate the impact of an educational seminar on blood donation willingness among 22 senior high school students at National University Mall of Asia. Pre- and post-seminar surveys adapted from Mappala et al. (2023) measure knowledge, perceived barriers, factors affecting willingness, and future intentions using a 4‑point Likert scale. Qualitative interviews with five participants complement the surveys. A two‑hour educational seminar led by Philippine Red Cross experts covers the importance of blood donation, eligibility criteria, donation procedures, and common misconceptions. Results revealed significant improvements across all dimensions. Pre‑seminar findings showed moderate awareness (average weighted mean = 3.02) and willingness (AWM = 2.65) alongside considerable perceived barriers (AWM = 2.21). Post‑seminar results demonstrated increased awareness (AWM = 3.79), improved willingness factors (AWM = 3.06), reduced perceived barriers (AWM = 1.95), and enhanced future intentions (AWM = 2.94). A paired sample t test indicated a statistically significant improvement in overall willingness (p = 0.010), with mean scores rising from 2.62 to 2.82. Thematic analysis identified three major themes: a perception shift following the seminar, persisting health‑related concerns, and newfound recognition of the importance of blood donation. The findings indicated that the educational seminar significantly improved blood donation knowledge, reduced perceived barriers, and increased willingness among senior high school students. However, persistent concerns about health effects suggested that single‑session interventions may be insufficient. As a result, sustained and interactive educational programs are recommended to reinforce learning, address lingering fears, and maximize the seminar’s real‑world impact on alleviating the national blood shortage crisis.
