St Aloysius College organizes blood donation camp

St Aloysius College organizes blood donation camp

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 1: The All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF), the National Service Scheme (NSS), and the Students’ Council of St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, organized a Blood Donation Camp on the occasion of World AIDS Day today at 9:20 a.m. in the auditorium of the college. 

NSS Officer Mr. Ravindraswamy,  President of the Students’ Council  Darryl D’Souza, Secretary of NSS  Rohan were on the  dais. Blood Donation Officer of Fr. Muller Charitable Hospital Dr.  Jayaprakash was the chief guest.  Principal of St Aloysius College Fr. Swebert D’Silva presided over the  function. 

Dr. Jayaprakash said that there is an overwhelming requirement for blood because medical science has no substitute for blood. The only way to save lives was, therefore, voluntary blood donation. He said that annually around 4 lakh units of blood are required; but annually, there is a shortage of 1 lakh units.  This can be rectified by organizing blood donation camps with the help of colleges, NGOs, and other social service organizations. 

He further informed the gathering that since it is possible to separate various blood components from whole blood, patients could be given separate components of blood as per their requirements. 

He said that healthy men can donate blood in 3 months and women can donate blood in 6 months. Blood donation is a healthy practice that helps in quick bone marrow building and healthy growth of an individual. He said that only 400 ml is taken from an individual.

He informed that the blood collected at blood donation camps is sent to special storage facilities with refrigerators. The packet into which it is collected contains 49 ml of anticoagulation liquid, which prevents it from clotting. The samples are then tested for infection before being sent to the blood bank. Blood can be stored only for 34 days, after which it has to be discarded.

More than 150 students donated blood during this camp, which is the third of its kind organized in the college this academic year.