It is the liquid of life. It permeates our very being and can
mark our every move. Blood
runs through our veins like oxygen through our lungs. Blood can be transferred
to another living being to help him or her tide over a medical emergency. It of
course should be of the right group. Blood donation drives have been conducted
through the ages in times of war and peace. As the country prepares itself to
celebrate the World Blood Donor Day on June 14, 2019, such camps will be held
all over the country.
A small state like Goa consumes on average around 1,000 units of
blood every month. Priyanka Raikar, who has superspecialised in Paediatrics and
Neurology, says, “Donating blood is a very move for the body.” According to
her, regular blood donation does not only help save lives of others but also
improves the quality of life of the donors. They primarily include significant
lowering of mean total cholesterol, lowering the risk of heart attacks and
heart disease. As per recent studies, it has been noticed that it also helps to
reduce the risk of cancer, enhances the production of new blood cells, prevents
hemochromatosis, maintains healthy liver and helps in weight loss too.
The ‘Gift an Organ’ initiative of Goa Chapter of Young Indians
(Yi) is organising Blood Donation Camps across Goa on the occasion of the World
Blood Donor Day which is on June 14, 2019. Yi, an integral part of
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), will conduct the Blood Donation Camps
at Vision Hospital (Mapusa) on June 13, Manipal Hospital (Dona Paula) on June
14 and Hospicio Hospital (Margao) on June 15 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in
collaboration with Goa Medical College, Asilo, Hospicio and Manipal Hospital
blood donation team. The Indian Navy shall also be a key partner in this noble
cause and shall conduct a blood donation camp at the INHS Jeevanthi and contribute
blood to the Blood Bank at GMC.
Priyanka says she expects around 300-400 donors over the
three-day exercise. The armed forces had guaranteed 150 on the first day. She
says that the entire exercise will last around 20 minutes at the most.
The
blood, she informs, will be stored at the GMC. It is a noble cause and she
hopes the people of Goa will respond in large numbers.
