Give Us This Day Our Daily Blood! FMMCH, YRCU & CASK observe ‘World Blood Donor Day’
Give Us This Day Our Daily Blood! Father Muller Medical College Hospital Blood Bank, Father Muller Medical College, Youth Red Cross Unit, and catholic Association of South Kanara observe ‘World Blood Donor Day’ on 20 June 2019 at the Father Muller Hospital Conference Hall.
Mangaluru : As they say “It’s Better Late Than Never”, even though World Blood Donor Day’ every year is observed on 14 June, but due to prior commitments Father Muller Medical College Hospital Blood Bank, Father Muller Medical College, Youth Red Cross Unit, and catholic Association of South Kanara observed ‘World Blood Donor Day’ on 20 June 2019 at the Father Muller Hospital Conference Hall.
If you are a blood donor, you are a hero/heroine to someone, somewhere, who received your gracious gift of life.’ All of us know that blood is a base of every human life; there is no life without blood. Blood is our Life, the power of life on earth. Give…. for you are given to give. How true this saying is. We do not own the sun in the sky, yet more certainly, we can say the sun is ours because it gives and gives. This should be our motivation in donating blood, whenever we can. The blood is red gold in time of saving a life. Blood is meant to circulate, so we need to pass it around. Donation of Blood means a few minutes to you but a lifetime for somebody else. The blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. One day that someone may be a close relative, a friend, a loved one, or even you. Blood is something we all expect to be there for us when we need it, yet very few of us come forward actively to give blood – many people would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the generosity of blood donors.
Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. 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. However, blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety.
The programme began with a prayer song invoking God’s blessings, followed by welcome address by Dr Kirana Pailoor-In-Charge of Father Muller Hospital Blood Bank, and Associate Professor in Pathology. The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by chief guest Fr Alwyn Serrao-Principal of Padua College of Commerce & Management, Mangaluru, along with other dignitaries on the dais, namely- Rtn CA Shantharam Shetty- Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society-Dakshina Kannada; Fr Richard Coelho- Directpr, Father Muller Charitable Institutions; Fr Rudolph Ravi D’sa-Administrator, FMMC; Dr Jayaprakash Alva- Dean of FMMC; and Dr Kirana Pailoor.
In his inaugural address, Fr Alwyn Serrao said, “It was when one of my friend met with an accident, and he needed blood, and I came forward to donate blood, and since then I have never stopped donating blood. When you donate blood, you get happiness, and joy, that you have helped someone save his/her life. When our blood gets into the body of others, and make them to survive, you feel blessed that you have done a big sacrifice. You simply can’t explain the joy, when you donate blood. At our College, we have started Padua Blood Corner, and we supply blood to anyone who is in need of blood, irrespective of caste, creed, rich or poor. Remember, the blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. One day that someone may be a close relative, a friend, a loved one—or even you”.
Also speaking on the occasion, Rtn Shantharam Shetty said, “I compliment Fr Alwyn Serrao for donation blood nearly 20 times, and he is surely a hero. You too can be like Fr Serrao, if you make up your mind to donate blood. A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. Ensuring safe and sufficient blood supplies requires the development of a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donations. However, blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety. At Indian Red Cross Society DK, we are trying hard to help anyone in need of blood with no excuses. We will also start a Help Desk at Wenlock Hospital so it will be convenient for people who come asking for blood. We will be also providing wheel chairs in any numbers, whoever is in need of them. We are also happy to be associated with Father Muller Hospital in this project”.
Fr Richard Coelho inn his presidential address said, “Life is a precious gift of God fora ll of us. So its necessary that we save such a precious gift of God, but unfortunately, many a times people take life very easy, and thus many lives are lost, which is sad. When no one comes forward to donate blood when someone desperately wants it, that’s a sad thing. Yes, like Fr Serrao said, Giving blood gives you happiness, joy and satisfaction that you have saved a life. We need to bring more awareness on blood donation so that more people are motivated and convinced to donate blood. Father Muller Hospital is grateful to CASK for their contribution to the hospital, and we look forward to be associated with them in future projects. Our institution being a charitable institution we have helped many patients with free treatment, and during last year we contributed up to Rs 48 crore in free hospital services to the poor. We believe in our motto “Heal and Comfort” and we will serve the needy always”.
On behalf of CASK Ms Nayana Fernandes, the President and Dr Derick Lobo, governing council member respectively, of CASK spoke, and expressed their joy and happiness being associated with Father Muller Institution is such community projects, which help the needy and the suffering. Dr Lobo suggested that FMCI open a Transplant Department so that it would benefit many, for which Fr Coelho, the director of FMCI agreed to discuss with the other hospital board members to materialize it.
During the occasion, a bunch of blood donors whom had donated blood over 20 times were felicitated. Also winners in the poster contest on the theme “Safe Blood For All” were presented with cash prizes and certificates. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Maithiryee and the programme was compered by Dr Stephanie J and Dr Manvina, all PG’s of Pathology at FMMC.
In conclusion, A few drops of your blood can help a life to bloom. Blood it’s in you to give-So give from the heart today and the Life You Save Could Be Your Own. You don’t have to have a medical degree to save a life. Just a fair degree of humanity. Give Blood. Save Life. Blood donation will cost you nothing but it will save a life ! A life is waiting for a bag of blood from you. Be a Life Guard. Give Blood to save life. Run, Run, quick hit the mud, Come be good, and give some blood!
If you like to donate blood call CASK Board Members- Ma Nayana Fernandes at 9844075758, or Mario Saldanha at 9449002514
