Mangaluru: As part of the Annual Feast of Infant Jesus Shrine at Carmel Hill, Bikkarnakatte-Mangaluru, the Carmelite Fathers of St Joseph’s Monastery here organized a Blood Donation Camp in association with Blood Bank of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Mangaluru on Thursday, 9 January 2020 from 9 am-2 pm. The Fr. Muller Blood Bank Team included Dr. Charu Khosla (Head of Blood Bank); Technical Heads – Ms. Olivia D çunha, Ms. Laxmi C; PG Students – Dr. Vineetha Augustine, Dr. Stephanie Noronha; M Sc Students – Saraswathi, Pavithra DL, and Divya KG; Technical Staff- Ms. Lavita Divya D’Souza, Ms. Lavita Lopez, Ms. Nabeesath Misiriya; Staff Nurse- Ms. Jyothi; and Social Worker Rajesh Joyal Saldanha.
Dr Charu Khosla- Head of Blood Bank at Father Muller Hospital said, “Blood Donation is a very noble and precious gesture. Human blood is irreplaceable and it is the most precious gift a person can give to the other person. One unit of blood that 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”.
The Blood Donation Camp was launched with a formal function in the morning, graced by Fr Wilfred Rodrigues OCD – Superior of St Joseph’s Monastery-Carmel Hill, Sr Joylene of an NGO in Vamanjoor, Dr Charu Khosla- Head of Blood Bank FMCI, and Fr Prakash D’cunha- Director of Infant Jesus Shrine.
Blood Donor Ms Oshin Sequeira, a student said, “This is my second time giving blood at Infant Jesus Shrine 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 a 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”.
Mabin Benny, a lecturer by profession said, “For the second 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”
As they say, “Don’t let mosquitoes get your blood first.” “Be a blood donor, be a Hero – A real one.”
