Some 40 young people donate blood in ‘Let’s give back’ blood drive |18 August 2022
The blood donation in full swing (Photo: Kurtrine Albert)
Some 40 young people from different age groups and educational institutions, yesterday mobilised to give blood at the Blood Transfusion Unit at the Seychelles Hospital in a blood drive entitled ‘Let’s give back’.
The blood donation drive, the second of its kind, forms part of activities to celebrate the 23rd Youth Festival organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) and taking place from August 12 to 27.
Nicknamed ‘Let’s give back’, the blood drive aimed to convince young people to give blood as a way of giving back a helping hand to the community. This was the second blood drive organised by the SNYC.
The group first gathered at the Botanical Gardens where each person registered and filled out their necessary details. After a photo session the group marched from the Botanical Gardens to the Sheik Khalifa Diagnostic Centre, where the participants gathered to take their breath before proceeding to the Blood Transfusion Unit.
Among the group were staff members of the SNYC, students from different educational institutions as well as young adults from different professions.
A group of police officers also volunteered to form part of the group.
Speaking on the objectives of the blood drive, Juanitha Soloniaina from the Youth Engagement Section said; “We set up a club so we can help out when there are different issues and giving blood is one good cause to take part in.”
She encourages youths, especially those who are 18 years of age and above, to perform this good gesture and also to join this club.
The club will be conducting more blood donation drives in November where youths from Mahé, La Digue and Praslin will be mobilised.
Having expected a turnout of fifty youths, Ms Soloniaina said they are very satisfied with the number of participants who showed up.
One of the volunteers, Lylah Lespoire, spoke of her experience during the blood donation. “I am someone who is scared of needles but my first experience of donating blood went very smoothly. I did not even feel it when they inserted the needle,” she said.
She is encouraging anyone who is also ready to come forward and help save a life not to hesitate to do so.
Sylia Ah-Time