Donate blood, Health Minister tells youth

Students of Mar Ivanios College donating Blood at a camp organised by the Kerala State Aids Control Soceity and the College to mark the National Blood donation day, in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Photo: S.Mahinsha

The youth should come forward for voluntary blood donation and help spread the message of saving lives through the gift of safe blood, Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar has said.

He was inaugurating the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day observance here on Wednesday.

Repeated blood donation at regular intervals was one way of ensuring good health. Blood donation could also help individuals ward off heart problems and adopt a healthy lifestyle, the Minister said.

Club 25

He congratulated volunteers and officials who had successfully implemented the concept of Club 25 — a global community of blood donors whose members commit to save 25 lives by donating blood 25 times from the age of 18 till they turn 25 – in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode districts.

Mr. Sivakumar gave away prizes to voluntary blood donors and to the winners of the competitions held in connection with International Youth Day.

Director of Health Services P.K. Jameela and officials of the Kerala State AIDS Control Society were present on the occasion.