Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral
Governor Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju lauded the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) for its continued commitment to humanitarian service. Calling the organization a beacon of compassion, neutrality, and voluntary action, the Governor highlighted its vital role in bringing hope and healing to communities in crisis.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the IRCS held at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, the Governor—who also serves as the President of the Goa State Branch of the IRCS—commended the Goa branch for upholding the legacy of the Red Cross movement. He noted the branch’s impactful work in areas such as disaster preparedness and relief operations, healthcare initiatives, and youth engagement programs.
“Your work has strengthened bonds of solidarity within society and is a testimony to the selfless service of volunteers, staff and well-wishers. I deeply appreciate the Goa branch for its outstanding contribution to the people of Goa,” said Governor Raju while addressing the gathering of IRCS members, volunteers, students, and office bearers.
The event also included the discussion of issues related to the functioning of IRCS branches in the state. Awards were presented to various branches for their exceptional contributions, and the IRCS Goa Administrative Report for 2024-25 was reviewed.
The Annual Report for the year 2024-25 was officially released during the event. Earlier in the program, Chairperson of IRCS Goa, Shri Gaurish Dhond, warmly welcomed the attendees and emphasized the organization’s mission to serve with compassion and dedication.
“Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives” theme inspires awareness and gratitude
Porvorim, Goa | June 14, 2025 — Reinforcing the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donation, Goa observed World Blood Donor Day 2025 with a state-level function held at Porvorim, organised jointly by the Goa State Blood Transfusion Council (GSBTC) and the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS).
Held under the global theme “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives”, the event brought together health officials, educators, volunteers, and donors to celebrate the spirit of giving and highlight the importance of safe and timely blood donation in saving lives.
The event was graced by a distinguished panel of guests and stakeholders from the health and education sectors, including:
Dr. Vandana Dhume, Project Director, GSACS
Shri Gaurish Dhond, Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society – Goa Chapter
Smt. Meghana Shetgaonkar, Director, SCERT
Dr. Uday Gaonkar, Principal, DEd College
Representatives from blood banks, NGOs, educational institutions, and donor groups
In her address, Dr. Vandana Dhume applauded Goa’s voluntary blood donors, especially the youth, for their life-saving contributions, and emphasized the need for continued awareness and participation.
“Every drop of donated blood carries the power to save a life. Let us build a culture where donation becomes second nature,” she said.
Shri Gaurish Dhond highlighted the long-standing role of the Red Cross in mobilizing donors and urged institutions to integrate blood donation drives into their yearly social responsibility activities.
🎖️ Donors Honoured, Youth Inspired
The program also featured:
Recognition of frequent and voluntary donors
Presentations on safe blood transfusion practices
Short films and testimonials from recipients and donors
A pledge ceremony encouraging first-time participants to become regular donors
Student representatives and educators from teacher training institutes participated actively, taking away both knowledge and inspiration to foster donation drives in their campuses.
“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s hope. If we cultivate giving early, we build a stronger, healthier society,” noted Dr. Uday Gaonkar.
🧬 The Message: Blood Donation is a Shared Responsibility
World Blood Donor Day serves as a global reminder that safe blood saves lives — during surgeries, childbirth, trauma, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions like thalassemia and hemophilia. Goa has consistently shown strong voluntary donor participation, but officials stressed the importance of ensuring year-round availability through regular drives.
The event also spotlighted how blood donation contributes to HIV/AIDS prevention, as each donation undergoes rigorous testing under GSACS protocols, thus ensuring both safe transfusion and early detection of infections.
🩷 Why It Matters:
One unit of blood can save up to 3 lives
Voluntary, non-remunerated donations are the safest and most sustainable
Regular donors help maintain stable blood supplies for emergencies
