20/01/2013
Nirmaan Organizes Blood Donation Camp in BITS Goa
Nirmaan Goa organized a Blood Donation Camp on Saturday, 12th January, 2012 in collaboration with the Goa Medical College (GMC) in BITS Goa. The blood donation camp- an annual event held by Nirmaan is usually held in the first semester of the Academic year. However on request from GMC for blood, due to shortage in their blood bank it was held in the second semester. For the occasion the SAC(Student Activity Centre) was converted into a temporary camp. Beds were arranged and collection started at about 9.30 am and lasted till 2.30 pm. A team of eight doctors and several nurses arrived at the campus. While the doctors supervised the operations, the nurses assisted by some Nirmaan volunteers collected samples of blood. Around 140 samples of blood were collected.
Aspiring donors were made to fill a form wherein they had to mention their name, age, s*x, any medication they might be on, for example strong antibiotics. They also had to indicate if they have suffered from blood infections or other deadly diseases in the recent past. They could also avail an option wherein the GMC would revert back to them in case they found any serious abnormality. After the procedure was over, donors were given snacks to regain their lost strength which included poha and tea/coffee. Dr. Raghavendra, the doctor on campus oversaw the whole procedure. Barring a few hiccups the operation went on extremely smooth. Around 350 ml of blood was collected from each donor.
Harith Kumar, one of the organizers of the event said the GMC was immensely pleased to see the active participation. Many students who wanted to donate had to be sent back as the doctors did not have sufficient storage facilities of blood. "Doctors expect about 50-60 samples a college only, so they were extremely happy to see the response." Harith went on to thank BITSians for their overwhelming support and expressed hope that they would continue to help Nirmaan in all such future endeavors. Rahul Mundra a first time donor donated about 620 ml of blood. Belonging to the rare blood group B- he was visibly pleased after donating. "I am glad to be able to help someone in distress. It is a great satisfaction and I will try to donate blood whenever I can. I wish to the reason for a smile on the face of someone who benefited from my blood."