Service to mankind: The common string between Shubho Khan, Vijaylakshmi, and the Patricians
Blood Donation is a great service to mankind.
St Patricks Church Bangalore had some different visitors on January 14, 2018. Vijaylakshmi Ravi, a teacher by profession and a mother of two children came all the way from Vijaynagar to be there on a Sunday morning. Subho Khan a young man in his 20s cycled into the campus unannounced. The board on his bicycle asking people to donate blood may draw attention but on a closer look he is a person with both upper extremities malformed since birth and has only one functional finger on his right hand. Sutapa Ghosh, A HR professional with an MNC, had arrived on the scene by 7:15 AM even before the organisers could appear. Mrs. Devika Radhakrishnan, Mrs. Susheela Suhas, Ms. Sneha and other members from Sanman Foundation converged at St. Patricks church to volunteer with the smooth conduct of a blood donation camp for the Cancer patients at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
100% of the blood collected in these camps conducted by KMIC is given free to the cancer patients at Kidwai.
Subho Khan is a physically challenged person from Delhi who has brought his child for treatment at Kidwai. He is now helping all the other patients and their families cycling down to the nearest blood bank and procuring blood for them. He is reaching out to others in spite of his limitations and the unfortunate diagnosis of his own child with cancer. The enthusiasm and the passion to help others in distress is an eye opener to all. Mr. K. Mathai,KAS, AO Sakala Govt. of Karnataka, one of the Chief Guests on the occasion, acknowledged the contribution of Shubho Khan and encouraged all people to come forward and help others and get involved in blood and organ donation campaigns. B V Ramachandra Reddy, Vice President of the Ex-MLAs association of India was the other Chief Guest. Mr. Reddy was expressed his gratitude to the Christian institutions and thanked the priests who were present on the dias. He recalled his days as a student in St. Joseph’s College and the inspiration of Fr. D’souza the then principal of SJC. How as a son of a small farmer it is the institution that moulded him to perform well in his studies and become one of the top structural engineers in the country. He told the gathering that it is a great privilege to be of service to the people and blood donation is a noble cause and more people should come forward to donate blood.
Mrs. Sutapa Ghosh was the first donor, and she brought her teenage son along who was equally enthusiastic to go around and invite people to come forward to donate blood. Many parishioners donated blood. One gentleman had just arrived from Australia by the early morning flight, and he was very happy to donate blood. Ms. Ancy, a postgraduate student, had come from 15 Kms away to donate blood. People from the surrounding areas also came forward to donate blood.
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bangalore Rev Fr. C. Francis and the Assistant parish priests Fr. Bala Francis Kumar and Fr. Savri Nayagam and Bro. Maria were instrumental in organising this blood camp and whole heartedly supported this initiative by the Anglo Indian Unity Centre, Bangalore. Mr. Ivan Nigli from AIUC made all the arrangements for the camp. The catering arrangements were sponsored by Francis and Co, reputed caterers in Bangalore. The youth of St. Patricks Church were also volunteered and helped with the arrangements.
There is an acute shortage of blood today. The needy patients and family have a difficult time arranging for blood. It should be noted that only one percent of the people in the country today come forward to donate blood. If only 2 percent more people come forward, there will be no shortage of blood.
You can organize blood donation camps in your offices, apartment complexes and communities. For more details contact Architect Jacob Chacko Founder Secretary of Sanman Foundation on 9341235616
