You’re Someones Type

Donating blood has the power to impact up to three people who need the blood to survive. It is amazing to see how many people rely on donated blood and live blessing such meritorious donors. Also, knowing that one has made a difference to the lives of others, a donor usually does feel mentally well and better about themselves than they did before.

With an objective of encouraging existing low-risk voluntary donors to give blood regularly , encouraging new people to donate their blood on a voluntary unpaid basis and build wider public awareness of the need for regular blood donation throughout the year in order to maintain an adequate supply of blood for all patients requiring transfusion , the Rotary family of Colombo West headed up for a blood donation campaign named “You’re Someone’s Type”​. The first session of this campaign was held on 04th November 2019 at Old Gymnasium of University of Moratuwa, organized by the Rotaract Club of Alumni University of Moratuwa and the Rotaract Club of University of Moratuwa.

Rtr. Danuka Yasuranda Bentharavithana was the chairperson of the project as he initially contacted the Blood Bank and confirmed a date to plan this as there were another blood donation was organized to happen in the university. Initially we planned to have this at Vijaya Sundaramaya Temple at Molpe Road. But with the responses we got we had to change the location and organized this in university premises which became more effective. And we planned to provide lunch packets, water bottles, bananas, king coconut, cake and fish buns as refreshments as they are recommended by the medical staff.

As we planned, we arranged the old gym in the morning with the help of members of Rotaract Mora and set the medical equipment, beds and refreshments according to the floor plan as we discussed. Blood donation commenced around 9’o clock. Initially the participation was not that much but after 11am participation was so good. At the end 156 participants were registered but only 96 participants are eligible as low-risk voluntary donors. According to the blood bank staff it was a great amount. So that the blood donation campaign was successful, and we thank all the donors who joined with this worthy cause.

There will be two more blood donation sessions organized by the other Rotaract and Interact clubs of the Rotary West family in the later of the year. The second blood donation camp organized by the Rotaract Club of Colombo West, American National College and the Interact Clubs of D.S.Senanayake College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Wycherley International School, St. Bridgets Convent and Sujatha Vidyalaya will be held on 23rd November 2019 at Wickramasingharama Buddhist Temple, Nugegoda. We invite all the donors who would like to donate their blood, to join with us in later blood donation campaigns as well.

 

Rtr. Kavinda Senarathne