Report and Pics by Flavin D’Souza, Shirva
Team Mangalorean Katpadi

Udupi: The National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Youth Red Cross Society and Lions Club Shirva, jointly organized a Annual Blood donation Camp 2012,  at St Mary’s College here on August 18.

Correspondent of the Institution, Rev Fr Stany Tauro, inaugurated the Blood Donation Camp.  Addressing the gathering  Fr Tauro said  that Blood Donation is one of the precious donations that one could do in life. It is a voluntary service when a person either voluntarily or during an emergency donates blood to save someones life.  Do something amazing in your life, by giving blood. And remember, your blood is always special and will surely help save numerous lives.

District Blood Bank Director, Dr Sharath Kumar said that 98.2% Voluntary blood donations take place. We oppose the Professional donation which kills the initiative of Blood Donation.

District blood banks meet the needs of 10-20 patients every day who are in need of blood. Dr Sharath repeated again, “Blood donation should be voluntary”. Professional donors donate blood for money and the blood donation for money should be an offence, he opined.

Ln Melwyn Aranha, President of Lions Club, Dr Sharath, District Blood Bank, Director, Ln Dr Prabhakar, Prof Rathnawati Leen Ferrao, Director of Youth Red Cross Society College Unit, Major Prof Pascal Walter D'Sa, Coordinator of NCC, Prof Ronald Moras Coordinator of NSS, Ln Ramanada Shettigar, and Secretary of Lions Club were present.

Major Prof Pascal D'Sa welcomed the gathering, Prof Ronald Moras delivered the vote of thanks. Ashyla compered the programme.

More than 100 units of blood were collected during the camp, surprisingly there were more female students who donated blood.

Some of the students who donated blood shared their experience with Mangalorean.com:

Astrilla of II BA said, "I donate blood since I am part of the society, it gives me immense pleasure that my blood will save someones life, that’s my gift".

"Humanity is respected by blood donation, it’s my love to the society that’s the reason I donate blood", said Vivian of III BBM.

"The little pain which I suffer during the blood donation is nothing compared to the pain which a person suffers during his need for blood" said Prajwal of III B.com.

" I am donating my blood for the first time and I will continue donating because I know the actual reason of the blood donation" says Jennifer of III B.Com.

"Blood Donation gives life to a human being and the life which my blood saves, that gives me pleasure" said Karthik Acharya of III B.com.