Blood drive in partnership with SSTS attracts impressive group of donors |04 July 2023
The Blood Transfusion Centre in partnership with Shree Swaminarayan temple Seychelles (SSTS) held a blood drive to commemorate a religious event for Hindus yesterday morning.
The event took place at the National Sports Council (NSC) hall at Roche Caiman, with the blood medical camp taking place outside and the praying ceremony inside the hall.
Roshni Raghvani, organiser of the event, explained many Hindus usually gather for this event, so it is a great opportunity to hold a blood drive giving attendees the chance for ‘Seva’, a concept of selfless service believed by the religion.
Ms Raghvani explained that when she was in the Health Care Agency this past year, she noticed that there was low amount of blood in stock.
“So I just thought this was the perfect opportunity for the attendees and it reflects seva, giving blood to save life,” she stated. “It is just about giving selfless help wherever you can. It is about helping the community, people from all over the world have come here to give blood.”
More than 30 volunteers were expected to donate blood, which might extend to a second blood drive on July 6 depending on the turnout.
Ms Raghvani noted that during the morning there was a huge turnout. “I think we can easily achieve 30 and we are even having to turn some people away.”
In regards to the logistics of the humanitarian event, when the donors have completed their donation, giving around half a litre of blood, they were able to refresh themselves with juice and biscuits.
“It is a hot day so they do need to produce that blood back,” exclaimed Ms Raghvani.
Her message to the community was to simply give blood. People need blood in the hospital. “We have noticed first hand that when we have medical emergencies, very bad emergencies in the construction community with the Indians, we have had cases where we need blood very urgently and the hospital could not provide that much. We need to work together,” she concluded.
Sunny Esparon