Media Release

Mangaluru, Sep 3: St Joseph Engineering College Mangaluru and St Joseph College alumni joined hands with White Doves and Wenlock Hospital Mangaluru for a noble cause this morning. A voluntary blood donation camp commenced at 9 am at St Joseph Engineering College which encouraged the students, staff and alumni to come in big numbers to donate blood for the Wenlock Hospital Blood Bank.

The program began with the formal function and Nelson Castelino president of the SJEC Alumni welcomed the dignitaries. Dr Sharath Kumar, medical officer and blood bank in charge Wenlock Hospital spoke on the occasion about the importance of donating blood. He said in a human body there is 5.75 liters of blood of which only 3.5 liters is required for normal functioning of a body which means the rest is extra of which 350 ml blood can be donated which benefits the donor. He also spoke about women during night delivery going into a crisis situation with profuse bleeding. The need to save that life greatly depends on the blood to be given to the women in labor.

Corrine Rasquinha founder president of White Doves who was the chief guest spoke on life in the blood and quoted from the Bible from the Book of Genesis how the blood was crying out for justice. She also gave her personal experiences on the plight of the poor patients in dire need of blood and having no one to help them. She encouraged the students to be permanent donors. Fr Joseph Lobo the director of SJEC also quoted the Bible speaking on the parable of the good Samaritan telling his students that they have a choice whether to help save a life or not through voluntary blood donation. He encouraged the students to donate blood which will give them a sense of well being.

The students and staff of SJEC came in large numbers to donate blood and by 12’o clock over 200 students donated blood. The camp which commenced at 9 am concluded at 2 pm. The formal function ended with a vote of thanks by Evita Coelho. Vincent Crasta dean of student welfare and alumni, principal of SJEC Joseph Gonsalves, director of SJEC Joseph Lobo, treasurer and secretary White Doves Jerome Coelho, Dr Sharath Kumar, Nelson Castelino and Corrine Rasquinha were the dignitaries on the dais. The program was well compered by Clyde Tellis who concluded by saying the tears of a mother cannot save a child when the child is in need of blood.