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.
“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
