The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : They yearn to save human lives

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Friday, Jul 13, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

They yearn to save human lives

Staff Reporter

Students respond enthusiastically to campaign for voluntary blood donation

PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

On a mission: Students participating in the signature campaign for voluntary blood donation in Vijayawada on Thursday. —

VIJAYAWADA: The ‘ www.friends2support.org’, an organisation and a website launched by a group of like-minded students and social activists, organised a signature campaign in support of blood donation here on Thursday as part of a State-wide exercise to rope in more number of voluntary blood donors. Scores of inspired students pursuing engineering and other courses in various institutions in the city enthusiastically appended their signatures on a huge banner displayed at Aahwanam Kalyana Mandapam at Kanuru, signalling their willingness to join the campaign.

Dignitaries who turned up on the occasion vowed their full support to the cause, while some advised the organisers to spread information on the safety aspect also. They cautioned the organisers that after visiting the website, some donors might respond directly to the pleas of individuals without going through authorised blood banks run by the likes of the Rotary and the Red Cross.

The website designed to provide “anywhere and anytime information” on blood donors kicked off the signature campaign with a view to enlisting a greater number of donors from the young generation and all sections of society. “Each one save one is our motto,” said J. Hemantha, a B.Tech final year student.

A yearning to save lives brought together Ms. Hemantha and scores of other engineering students in and around the city to become part of the activities of the new organisation that works mainly through its website.

Under its banner, the signature campaign was launched in Hyderabad in the presence of cricketer Mythali Raj. In Vijayawada, the event saw the presence of some notable faces of the city. “We are with you,” announced City Police Commissioner C.V. Anand when students asked him to say a few words about his impression of the campaign. Goaded further by students’ pleas, Mr. Anand wrote “VR with U” on the banner that brought cheer all around.

G.V. Rama Rao, secretary of the Rotary Red Cross Blood Bank at Gandhinagar, said that their support was provided by offering services in blood grouping of prospective donors.

He said it would be safe to donate blood through authorised blood banks, as they would have good facilities to test blood for Hepatitis B and other diseases.

Former MP Gadde Rammohan, MLC Ch. Vara Prasad and other dignitaries lauded the students’ efforts and pledged their support.

Mr. Prasad administered a ‘Seva Pratigna’ to students, calling upon them to show commitment and honesty in the activities of ‘friends2support’ organisation.

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