Donate Blood, Save Lives! MBA Dept of AIMIT-St Aloysius College host ‘Sanjeevini- a Blood Donation Camp
The Blood Bank Team of Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru under the guidance of young and dynamic Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao J, Pathologist, Blood Bank Medical Officer, Senior Specialist, Wenlock District Hospital Mangaluru, (who was also the Chief Guest for the Blood Donation Camp) in collaboration with The MBA department of AIMIT, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Beeri, hosted ‘SANJEEVINI’- a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp on Wednesday, February 5th 2020.
Mangaluru: ”Gift of Blood is Gift of Life! Blood is a lifeline and its value is only recognized when we are in need of it to save the lives of our near and dear ones . Do you feel you don’t have much to offer? You have the most precious resource of all: the ability to save a life by donating blood! Help share this invaluable gift with someone in need. If you’re a blood donor, you’re a hero to someone, somewhere, who received your gracious gift of life. The finest gesture one can make is to save life by donating Blood. The blood donor of today may be recipient of tomorrow”
We should all know that “Blood” is an important resource, both for planned treatments and urgent interventions. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. Blood is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care.
The Blood Bank Team of Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru under the guidance of young and dynamic Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao J, Pathologist, Blood Bank Medical Officer, Senior Specialist, Wenlock District Hospital Mangaluru, (who was also the Chief Guest for the Blood Donation Camp) in collaboration with The MBA department of AIMIT, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Beeri, hosted ‘SANJEEVINI’- a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp on Wednesday, February 5th 2020. The program commenced by invoking the blessings of the Almighty through a prayer song by College Choir.
The Camp was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest Dr Sharath Kumar Rao J, along with other dignitaries on the dais, namely- Fr Denzil Lobo SJ- Director of AIMIT, Dr Rowena Wright- Dean, AIMIT; Lestan D’souza- Faculty Coordinator; Joel Fernandes and Ms Carol D’souza- both Student Coordinators. In his inaugural message, Dr Sharath Kumar highlighted the need for donating blood and informed the student community of the many Myths that shroud blood donation. He also educated the gathering on the Do’s and Don’ts whilst donating blood and history of the entire blood transfusion process. He emphasized the need for a healthy living by taking adequate precautions in diet and devoting sufficient time for exercise. He stated that the blood is well screened before being passed on to the patients and the transmission of diseases via blood transfusion has been reduced drastically. He concluded by saying that “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give !”
Speaking on the occasion Fr Denzil Lobo SJ with a witty beginning he said, “Sorry that being 68 years old, I don’t qualify to donate blood here in India, but I can donate blood in USA- so my next blood donation will be in US, if I get a chance again to go there? Giving couple of examples of persons on blood donation, Fr Lobo SJ reiterated the need for donating blood. He stated that blood saves many human lives irrespective of caste, creed, colour, or race. He urged the youth to come forward in large numbers and be a part of this noble cause. “With so many youth these days getting into accidents while riding two-wheelers, and also many other people needing blood during emergency, blood is the need of the hour. Therefore, when you can donate blood, don’t hesitate, go ahead and donate blood, and few lives needing your blood will be saved. Donate Blood, Save Lives-that’s it ” added Fr Denzil SJ.
Lestan Dsouza – Faculty Coordinator Sanjeevini 2020 welcomed the dignitaries and introduced the chief guest. The Student Coordinator of Sanjeevini 2020, Ms Carol D’souza proposed the Vote of thanks, and the programme was meticulously and professionally compered by Ms Carol Fernandes I MBA. The day witnessed a large turnout of eager donors and even though 150 plus registered to donate blood, only 120 donors could donate blood. The expertise of the doctors and nurses of Wenlock under the watchful eye of Dr Sharath Kumar Rao J was highly commendable.
‘Sanjeevini’ which commenced in the year 2006, has been a success till date. The aim of this camp is to inculcate community work and social responsibility among students. Blood Donation is a gentle reminder that one need not have to be a doctor to save lives. Prior to this Blood Donation Camp, a mime directed by I MBA Students was performed at Beeri and Thokottu junction on 3rd February 2020 also staged in the college premises on 4th February, 2020 to create awareness about the Camp.
When we donate blood, one may ask-Where would our blood be going? Who would be helped by it? The answer is simple, Your blood could save a life of a mother? A father? A son or daughter? A baby? An adult? A person battling cancer, sickle cell disease or maybe a person involved in a vehicle accident? Blood donation is a simple, four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments. It is a safe process, and a sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
Why Donate Blood? You don’t need a special reason to give blood; you just need your own reason. Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend. Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day. Some believe it is the right thing we do. The number one reason donors say they give blood is because they “want to help others.” Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life.
Sources reveal that the actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-15 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes less than an hour. Five-10 minutes of one blood donor’s time + 350 ml. of blood = One life saved ! So when you give blood you are giving someone another chance at life. One day that someone may be your close relative, a friend, a loved one—or even one of YOU. By donation of blood means a few minutes to YOU, but a lifetime for somebody else. Isn’t it so simple!
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao said, “Blood Donation is a very noble and precious gesture. Human blood is irresplaceable and it is the most precious gift a person can give to the other person. One unit of blood which is donated can actually save four lives, not one, because blood is separated into components. Blood can be very useful in emergency situations, road-traffic accidents and diseases for which they are transfusion dependent. Your gesture of blood donation can save some one’s life. So people should come forward and donate blood willingly”.
Mitchel, a student speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “This is my second time giving blood at AIMIT, because I feel that someone may need my blood in order to save his/her life. Many people in time of emergency who are in need of particular blood die since there is shortage of blood. I urge everyone if you are capable of giving blood, do it right now, because someone out there is needing your blood very urgently”.
A professor at AIMIT said, “For the third time I am donating blood here, which could be of use to some person desperately needing blood. There are cases of patients dying since their blood type/group is not available. I donate blood because it’s something I can do. It takes very little time, it helps people who really need it, and I always feel better after I’ve done it. Another reason I donate blood is simply that I’m eligible. You probably are, too. We could eliminate shortages if people come forward to donate blood. It comes down to this: sick and injured people need donated blood. There’s no substitute for it. So be a generous Blood Donor, when you are eligible to give now”
In conclusion in my perspective, “A life may depend on a gesture from you, a bottle of Blood. To give blood you need neither extra strength nor extra food,and you will save a life. Blood Donation will cost you nothing but it will save a life! Tears of a mother cannot save her Child. But your Blood can. To the young and healthy it’s no loss. To sick it’s hope of life. Donate Blood to give back life. Blood is meant to circulate. Pass it around. Share a little, care a little – Donate Blood. So why not come forward and donate blood and save a life or lives!
Team Mangalorean makes a humble request to our readers to come forward and donate blood, wherever there are Blood Banks, thereby help a good cause, and eliminate shortage of blood. On a final note, I would like to thank Fr Denzil Lobo SJ, for his invite to tour AIMIT, which I found a state-of-the-art institution, with a spacious campus and modern facilities. Very soon, Yours Truly will do an exclusive feature on AIMIT- and as they “An Aloysian is Always An Aloysian”- I feel proud to be An Aloysian- and being at AIMIT, I was amazed to see the campus and the infrastructure. Finally, a million thanks to Fr Denzil Lobo SJ- who was my Chemistry lecturer at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru in the 80’s.
