By Sr Molly Fernandes SFN

Canacona, Aug 17: Fr Faustino D’Souza Social Service Institute Divya Gyan and Caring Souls Goa, in collaboration with South Goa District Hospital (Hospicio) Margao, Goa India, organised a half day blood donation camp on August 17, at Nirmala Convent, Mastimol, Canacona, in loving memory of Late Aleixinho B Gracias, father-in-law of Priya Gracias.

This camp was the initiative of Sr Crina Cardoso SFN, a social worker and directress of Divya Gyan Social Service Centre, a member of the congregation of Holy Family of Nazareth Sisters, Sancoale, Goa, with the support of Priya Gracias.

"The main purpose of the camp was to save lives, motivate and encourage people to come out to donate blood. So that through this act, lives of many people be saved. As there are many who run errands due to unavailability of the precious reserve - the blood and specially to educate, help the poor and the marginalised," says Sr Crina, the directress.

God’s blessings were invoked with the lighting of lamp and a welcome to the collaborators by the staff of Divya Gyan Social Service Centre (DGSSC). Those instrumental to make this day a success were acknowledged and showered words of gratitude for the support given to organise this camp and for Priya Gracias for the finance.

The camp received good response as over 50 persons came forward to save lives though 20 people did not match the requirements for this great cause. The organisers had a mixed response from the youth, and middle aged.

Hanse Fernandes, from Palolem, a young first-time donor, said, “He came freely and had the joy of giving, of saving someone’s life”. While Binny Fernandes, a second time donor, was all smiles, lying on the bed while donating blood said, "It gives a good feeling to save lives and when we need blood, we may not have any problem to get blood."

Pasly Pereira from Talpona, a first-time donor, though had little fear in the beginning, felt good after the pricking of the needle "As my blood was just flowing without any pain. I always wanted to donate blood for others but never materialised. Today, I am very happy," said Pereira.

"The good work carried on by the sisters in the village and especially Sr Crina, through the Divya Gyan Social Service Centre for the poor and marginalised, I appreciate and acknowledge with gratitude," said Simon Fernandes, the ex-chairman and present councillor of Canacona - Municipality.

Fernandes said he was little disheartened as he expected more people to come out to donate blood.

Dr Ravin Rego, a medical officer at South Goa District Hospital, Margao conducted the camp with his team members. He said, this is a voluntary process and blood camps are mediators to collect blood units as donors cannot come to us and we received good response.

Rego also opined that, children between the age of 15 to 18 years studying in schools and colleges need to be conscientized, motivated and given understanding and importance of blood donation so that when they come of age, they may come forward generously to donate blood without any fear.

It is his experience, he explained, that people come to ask for blood, and when the blood is unavailable and request them to donate, they use political influence to get blood and refuse to donate freely.

The first-time donors, he said they did not have any know-how about blood donation but once they experience this fearless and easy procedure of blood donation, they come with new donors, he exclaimed.

In appreciation, the donors were awarded with a blood donation card and a certificate by Divya Gyan Social service Centre and Caring Souls Goa.

DYSSC, carries on various programmes for women and children at the centre, as at present, tailoring classes are in progress.

The outcome of the camp has influenced the directress and the collaborators to have more camps to help people regulate their haemoglobin levels, so that soon they might not have issues and increase the number of donors.

Ranjit Rodrigues, and Mark D’Souza from the caring souls Goa were present for the camp and carried on all the responsibilities.

The camp also had 'MOHAN Foundation', an organ donation and information desk, an NGO-based in Chennai under the leadership of Gabriel John Pereira who promotes organ donation from Mapusa, north district, Goa, India.

The camp was carried on without any hurdles and free from casualties. It was indeed blessed with success, as the donors went home happily.