Lapu Lapu Day was meant to celebrate the strength and resilience of the Filipino community. In honour of the first national Filipino hero Visayan Chieftain Lapu-Lapu, this festival was to commemorate him standing against the oppression and colonialism that the Indigenous peoples of the Philippines faced.
In the wake of immense tragedy, we urge everybody to lend a hand to those who need it most in these dark times. There are many victims who are still in critical or serious condition, and will require further support in order to recover.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Aside from donating to fundraisers, donating blood is a fantastic way to get support directly to victims and their families. Blood supplies have always been low, and a massacre such as this one is further straining it.
There are some requirements before you are able to donate blood through Canadian Blood Services. You can check here to see if you meet the criteria.
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If you’re eligible, that’s great. You can book your appointment online, but some Canadian Blood Services locations do take walk-ins.
WHERE TO DONATE
- Canadian Blood Services, Dunsmuir St. 888 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver
- Canadian Blood Services, Surrey. Unit C2 15285-101 Ave., Surrey.
- Canadian Blood Services, Oak Street. 4750 Oak St., Vancouver
- St. Andrews & St. Stephen’s. 2641 Chesterfield Ave., North Vancouver
- Riverside Community Church. 2329 Fremont Connector, Port Coquitlam.
- Ladner Community Centre. 4734 51st St., Main Hall, Delta.
And many, many more. You can check here for a full list of locations and opening times.
FURTHER RESOURCES
Please don’t be afraid to reach out and speak up if you are struggling. You can also find a variety of resources listed below for yours, your family, friends, and community’s mental and emotional health.
- Victim Services. Phone: (1-800-563-0808). Email: [email protected].
- Mental Health Line: (310-6789). Connects to a B.C. crisis line that offers a variety of support, including emotional, referrals, and mental health.
- Douglas Park Community Centre (801 West 22nd Ave.) has a 24-hour assistance centre for those who are still attempting to reach a friend or family member since the event.
Keep the victims of this terrible tragedy in your heart, and do what you can to help.
