BlogCommunity Service
” Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life ” —WHO
Your precious decision to donate blood saves the precious lives of others. An adequate supply of blood is an essential need for a healthy society. Blood transfusion is essential for the treatments of complex medical and surgical procedures like physical traumas, chronic illness, complications of pregnancy, cancer treatments, severe anemia, thalassemia conditions, etc.
Blood is precious -specially during a global pandemic
There should be a constant supply of safe blood as there is no alternative for human blood. Similarly, blood can be stored only for a limited time. As responsible citizens, it is our duty to address this necessity through voluntary donations. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems need an adequate supply of blood all the time. However, it is very difficult to maintain the constant supply of blood due to the public health measures taken to prevent COVID- 19.
Rotaract Alumni Mora joins hands with Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School – Piliyandala
With the prevailing situation in the country, only a few blood donation campaigns had been conducted in the previous months. The Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa with the collaboration of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School of Sri Wijeyarama Temple, Piliyandala, identifies the immediate need for action as per a special request made by, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). This humanitarian effort was named as Suwa Arana 20.1 with the objective of fulfilling the urgent blood requirement in the country. The chairperson of the project was Rtr. Dinushani Wickramarachchi, who contacted the necessary parties and initiated the project with fellow Rotaractors in this time of difficulty.
We made this effort into reality on 5th of August 2020 at the Sri Wijeyarama Temple premises, Piliyandala. The staff of the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital’s Blood Bank engaged in the collection procedure. The refreshments were facilitated by the Sri Wijeyarama Temple with the support of parents and teachers of Dhamma School.
Blood donation with COVID19 measures
It was really a challenge to conduct the campaign by adhering to safety measures governed in the country due to COVID-19 while ensuring the collection of safe blood. Other than the medical staff, the organizing team took all the necessary precautions from the beginning to the end of the project to prevent the viral spread. The specific health requirements given by the NBTS to qualify as a safe blood donor were published prior to the campaign through social media. On the campaign day, all the necessary arrangements were there to rectify the threat. Hand washing areas, hand sanitizers, and face masks were facilitated to the participants.
200+ registrations and 175 blood donations!
Suwa Arana campaign ended up being a huge success and was able to have 175 successful donations from 200+ registrations. This was such a splendid event to showcase the shining human qualities of our people even with the barriers due to COVID-19.
We give our special thanks to Kadurupokune Dhammaloka Thero, teachers, and parents of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School for their immense support to have a successful blood donation campaign. Moreover, the service of the medical staff of the NBTS and the Blood Bank also needs to be mentioned admirably.
Thank you for joining with us to save lives!
Finally, we want to appreciate the selfless endeavors of all the blood donors who participated in the campaign. Their gift of life is a worthy commitment to maintain the national blood reserves during a pandemic. As Rotaractors, we are spirited to continue our service as organizers in this worthy cause of saving lives through voluntary blood donations.
Kind request from you all…
There is an urgent need for regular blood supply in the country. If you are willing to donate blood please visit Maharagama Apeksha Hospital Blood Bank or your nearest hospital blood bank !
Rtr. Odatha Bandara
