The Vreed-en-Hoop Arya Samaj Mandir and the United Federation of Arts and Culture are lending support to the National Blood Bank’s ‘Good Samaritan’ programme.
The fifth annual blood drive of the two associations was held at the Arya Samaj Mandir at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

President of the Arya Samaj organisation and the United Federation of Arts and Culture, Mr. Vishnu Bandhu in an invited comment said the two organisations have come together for a number of years and have been trying to encourage persons to donate blood for quite a period of time.
He noted that the aim this year is to accumulate at least 200 units  between the two organisations, adding that many vigorous  campaigns on the awareness of blood donation have been done all across the region  to assist the blood bank in reaching their yearly target and most importantly, save  lives.
Bandhu further stated that the month of April signifies the 138th  year anniversary of the Arya Samaj Mandir and so  an effort is being made  to accumulate 138 units of blood.  He noted that for the past five years, the Mandir has always tried to match the number of units to the number of years being celebrated.
Meanwhile, he said that the response has been excellent from persons as donors have come from areas as far as Parika to partake in the effort.
Up to press time, the blood bank had collected approximately 50 viable units of blood and many persons were still awaiting their turn to make donations.
Bandhu said he is hopeful that the units collected this year will beat the 160 units collected last year. The drive started at 08: 00 hours and was scheduled to conclude at 17:00 hours.
Guyana Chronicle spoke to   various persons who came in to contribute and while they expressed some nervousness they were determined to make their donation since it was going to a worthy cause.
Many first time donors said they had initial fears regarding needles when donating blood, but quickly overcame this as a result of the courteous, encouraging, friendly staff and the atmosphere of the blood bank.
The Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement and Arya Samaj Mandirs and temples can be found all across Guyana.