Nearly 1,000 Students Donate Blood at GITAM Camp

Blood donation is more than an act of kindness; it is a lifeline for patients in need, said Prof. Y. Gouthama Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor of GITAM (Deemed-to-be University), on Friday. He was speaking at a blood donation camp organised by the university’s NSS wing. “Every donation offers hope to patients battling conditions such as thalassemia,” he said, while commending the organising team for their meticulous planning.

Nearly 1,000 students participated in the camp, volunteering to donate blood. The event brought together students, faculty, and medical professionals. Several first-time donors said they felt proud to contribute and noted that such initiatives foster social responsibility and awareness among young adults.

Prof. K. Nagendra Prasad, Director of GITAM School of Technology, highlighted the urgent need for blood donations in India. “Around 12,000 lives are lost daily due to blood shortages. While the country requires about 15 million units annually, only 11 million are collected,” he said. He added that low awareness, misconceptions about donation, fragmented blood banking, and poor storage and distribution contribute to the shortfall. Prof. Nagendra Prasad praised the NSS volunteers and urged more students and citizens to participate in blood donation drives.

The camp was conducted smoothly with the support of GITAM NSS Coordinator Dr. S.V.G. Reddy, the GIMSR Blood Bank medical team, and faculty members, ensuring a safe and efficient donation process. The event concluded with a call to continue voluntary blood donation and recognise its critical role in saving lives.