Students Should Come Forward in Large Numbersto Donate Blood - Governor

Hyderabad, June 16, 2017: Speaking on the occasion of presentation of Awards to District Collectors, officials, voluntary blood donors, motivators of blood donation, Governor said that requirement of blood is increasing by the day due to various circumstances and urged the officials of Indian Red Cross Society AP & Telangana Chapters to continue to motivate people on the importance of blood donation by encouraging students in various educational institutions and universities to come forward and donate blood in large numbers.

Governor, who is also the President of the Indian Red Cross Society, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chapters, presented awards to the blood donors and motivators of both the States on the occasion of World Blood Donors Day and congratulated them for their commitment to the voluntary and noble cause of blood donation and said that voluntarism in blood donation should be encouraged.

He said that every drop of blood counts and that blood donation can save not one life but many lives. Governor appreciated the efforts of the officials of AP and Telangana Chapters of Indian Red Cross Society and said that both Chapters have done well and requested them to continue their efforts and mobilise more blood donors in the coming year also and urged them to expand their activities into other health related areas such as health care for senior citizens and day care centres for senior citizens and Red Cross should come to the help of such people. Governor said that apart from maintenance of Blood Banks and collection of blood, the Telangana Chapter of the Indian Red Cross Society has set up a Centre for the Care of Thalassemia patients at Hyderabad. He said that there is a greater dependency on the Red Cross activities now than ever before.  He said that more people should be encouraged to join the movement of Red Cross by conducting awareness campaigns on the activities of the organisation. Governor said that Red Cross should adopt villages and provide health services in a holistic manner. He said that Red Cross volunteers should visit hospitals and interact with patients and help them in getting the treatment they need and bring joy and happiness in peoples lives.

While recalling the theme of the year 'Gift of Life - Donate Blood on the eve of the Blood Donors Day', the Governor said that it should be ensured that quality of the blood collected is checked at all times.

Smt. Rachel Chatterjee, IAS (Retd), Honorary Chairperson, Indian Red Cross Society, Andhra Pradesh Chapter, Sri B.V. Papa Rao, IAS (Retd) Honorary Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Telangana Chapter, Sri Harpreet Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to Governor and Vice Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, AP & Telangana Chapters, have also participated in the awards presentation ceremony.

 -Press note