THE student body of the Saraswattie Vidya Niketan (SVN) school in collaboration with the National Blood Bank, the Society for Empowerment and Wholistic Advancement (SEWA) and the Cornelia Ida Temple Committee held a blood drive on the premises of the school at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, to support the National Blood Bank’s ‘Good Samaritan’ programme.
The two-day blood drive on Saturday and Sunday saw a total of 534 persons

voluntarily donating blood, as part of a month of activities to commemorate Arrival Day, celebrated on May 5.
A total of 508 units of blood were collected by the blood bank, according to phlebotomist Radha Ramdhari who spoke to this publication yesterday.
She said that the first to donate were the students and teachers followed by former students and persons from around the area, most of whom were first time donors. They were ushered into the building by students of the Hindu school, who flanked the main road outside the compound encouraging   donors.
Ramdhari said that these drives are being conducted as the blood bank is always in dire need of blood. She also stated that the blood bank is pleased to see persons are cooperating and showing a positive attitude.
Speaking via telephone to a donor whose name was not given, he related that he was terrified about the idea of needles but quickly overcame the fear because of the courteous and friendly staff at the blood bank.
The SVN’s gesture is to assist the blood bank to reach its 100% mark for the year.
Meanwhile, Ramdhari is encouraging members of the general public to become volunteer donors, as the process which takes just about 15 minutes comes with health benefits as it gives the body an opportunity to replenish red blood cells. She also noted that one pint of blood can save three lives.
Ramdhari said that the SVN students were outside the school handing out leaflets and explaining the importance of donating blood to passersby.
The school has a population of about 406 students, from Forms 1 – 5, and 363 of them were actively engaged in the blood donation drive.
However, only the students of Forms 4 and 5 were allowed to donate blood after their parents had returned signed consent forms to the school.
This is the 7th consecutive year that the school has been engaged in the blood drive.
Principal of the school, Swami Aksharananda has been awarded by the Ministry of Health for his role in spearheading blood drives over the years.
He explained that the main idea of the blood drive is to give back to the public and to teach the students values of social responsibility.
He also said that the annual blood drive was introduced in 2007 and the response from the public has been increasing so much that a decision was made to have two annual blood drives.
Consequently another blood drive is scheduled for November and will again be spearheaded by the student body.
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsarran and staff at his ministry have always encouraged persons to volunteer as blood donors as they can save lives.