On October 12, 2025, the church hall of St. John the Baptist Church in Pilerne, Goa, was filled not only with people but with purpose, as the parish hosted its annual Blood Donation Camp. Organized in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo) Blood Bank, the event exemplified the true meaning of community service and selflessness.
The camp, held from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, welcomed donors from all walks of life. From young professionals to elderly parishioners, the turnout reflected a collective spirit of generosity and awareness about the importance of donating blood. The smooth execution of the event was made possible with the logistical support of the medical team from Asilo Blood Bank and the hospitality extended by Peppy’s Goan Kitchen Caterers.
Mr. Mark D’Souza, President of Loving Hearts Goa, along with founding member Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues and Treasurer Ms. Sanyukta Gawade, expressed heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved. In particular, they acknowledged the unwavering support of Fr. Derick Fernandes, the parish priest, whose encouragement was vital to the event’s success.
Events like these not only contribute directly to saving lives but also bring communities closer, reminding everyone of the impact a small act of kindness can have. The blood collected during the camp will go on to help patients in need, proving once again that giving is indeed a blessing.
Porvorim, Goa | 1st October 2025 – Goa joined the nation in celebrating National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, with a meaningful ceremony held at the Secretariat, Porvorim. The event was inaugurated by Secretary (Health), Shri Arun Kumar Mishra, IAS, who lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the occasion.
Organized by the Goa State Blood Transfusion Council in collaboration with the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS), the event embraced this year’s national theme: “Give Blood, Give Hope, Together We Save Lives.”
The ceremony brought together a host of senior health officials and dignitaries, including:
Dr. Vandana Dhume, Project Director, GSACS
Smt. Shweta Dessai, Director, FDA Goa
Dr. Nelishka Gomes, Senior Pathologist, Asilo Hospital
Shri Gaurish Dhond, Chairman, Red Cross Society, Goa
Speakers underscored the urgent need for voluntary and regular blood donations, emphasizing that a single donation can save multiple lives. The event highlighted the importance of community participation and celebrated the selfless spirit of blood donors across Goa.
Through such observances, the state aims to foster a stronger culture of voluntary blood donation, ensuring timely access to safe blood for those in need — from accident victims to those battling chronic illness.
The event was not only a call to action but a tribute to every individual who steps up to give the gift of life — one drop at a time.
On September 26, 2025, a meaningful community initiative unfolded in Goa as Loving Hearts Goa organized a Blood Donation Camp in partnership with the Fr. Faustino D’Souza Social Service Institute, Divya Gyan (Canacona), and the South Goa District Hospital (Hospico). The camp was held from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and witnessed a commendable turnout, with 45 individuals stepping forward in the spirit of giving.
Despite the enthusiasm, only 29 individuals met the criteria to donate blood — each one contributing to a collective act of compassion and life-saving support. The event was smoothly coordinated by Sr. Crina Cardozo, sfn, alongside her dedicated team of volunteers who worked diligently to ensure the camp ran efficiently and respectfully.
Adding a personal note of tribute, Tr. Priya Gracias lent her support to the initiative in memory of her late father-in-law, Mr. Aleixinho B. Gracias, honoring his life through the gift of giving.
Mr. Mark D’Souza, President of Loving Hearts Goa, took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude to all who made the event a success. He acknowledged the selfless efforts of Sr. Crina and her team, the medical staff and doctors from South Goa District Hospital (Hospico), and most importantly, the donors — whose generosity and sense of community made the camp possible.
This event is a shining example of what can be achieved when individuals and organizations come together with a shared vision for the greater good. Through collaboration, empathy, and action, 29 units of blood were donated — each with the potential to save a life.
On September 20, 2025, a spirit of compassion and community filled the halls of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School in Panjim, Goa, as the school hosted a Blood Donation Camp in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the GMC Blood Bank, Bambolim. In a commendable effort to extend the reach of health awareness, the MOHAN Foundation also joined in by setting up an organ donation information desk at the venue. The event ran from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and was generously supported by Mr. Benson Coutinho, Proprietor of the SAAMAS Group.
The turnout was a powerful reflection of community involvement, with 77 individuals stepping forward to volunteer. After necessary medical screening, 50 were found eligible and successfully donated blood, each contributing to saving lives and making a difference. The event not only promoted blood donation but also used the opportunity to shine a light on the significance of organ and tissue donation, a message that resonated deeply with the attendees.
Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues, a founding member of Loving Hearts Goa, met with Sr. Luisa Botelho, FHIC, Headmistress of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, to explore ways to involve parents as donors in future events. The conversation underlined the importance of nurturing a culture of donation, starting within the school community. This initiative was further reinforced by Mr. Gabriel from the MOHAN Foundation, who passionately spoke to attendees about the transformative power of organ donation. Drawing parallels to blood donation, he explained that while donating blood could save three to four lives, organ donation had the potential to save up to eight lives and positively impact over fifty more through tissue transplants.
To enhance understanding, informative flyers addressing frequently asked questions about organ donation were distributed to all attendees. These resources helped demystify the process and encouraged participants to consider signing up as donors, either during the event or in the future.
As the camp drew to a close, heartfelt thanks were extended by Mr. Mark D’Souza, President of Loving Hearts Goa, along with Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues and Ms. Sanyukta Gawade, Treasurer. They acknowledged the camp’s sponsor, Mr. Benson Coutinho, as well as the pivotal contributions of Tr. Charlotte Pereira, the camp coordinator, and Sr. Luisa Botelho, for their unwavering support and organisational efforts.
Mr. Gabriel, representing the MOHAN Foundation, also expressed his gratitude to Loving Hearts Goa and Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School for their continued support in spreading awareness about organ donation. Their commitment to integrating education with humanitarian outreach played a crucial role in making this camp not just a medical initiative, but a movement for change within the Panjim community.
This collaborative effort served as a shining example of what can be achieved when schools, non-profits, healthcare institutions, and the wider community come together for a common cause. It was more than an event—it was a message of hope, life, and generosity.
Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral
Margao, 17th September 2025: On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Victor Hospital, in association with the BJP Medical Cell, hosted a Blood Donation Camp in Margao under the nationwide Sewa Pakhwada 2025 initiative.
The camp was formally inaugurated by Hon’ble PWD Minister & Margao MLA Shri Digambar Kamat, Hon’ble Navelim MLA Shri Ulhas Tuenkar, Dr. Sneha Bhagwat – Ayurvedic & Yoga Practitioner and Entrepreneur, Mr. Yogiraj Kamat – Social Worker, and Mr. Damodar Shirodkar – Margao Municipality Chairperson, in the presence of dignitaries, doctors, staff, and volunteers.
Also gracing the occasion were Shri Abhishek Kakodkar, President of BJP Margao Block, Ms. Roana Costa, Executive Director of Victor Hospital, Dr. Ajay Gangoli, COO & MS of Victor Hospital, and Dr. Eugene D’Souza, HoD Pathology & Blood Bank, Victor Hospital.
The initiative received enthusiastic participation, with citizens and hospital staff alike coming forward to donate blood and support the cause. Leaders from BJP Goa and representatives of Victor Hospital emphasized the significance of voluntary blood donation in saving lives and addressing critical healthcare needs.
Victor Hospital expressed its heartfelt gratitude to all donors, organizers, and participants for their contribution and reiterated its dedication to community health initiatives and service to society.
This initiative, held as part of Sewa Pakhwada, is one among several service-driven programs across the nation to mark the Prime Minister’s birthday, promoting the values of seva (service) and samarpan (dedication).
