Tag: Loving Hearts Goa

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Loving Hearts Goa Hosts Successful Blood Donation Camp in Collaboration with Local Partners

Tanisha Cardozo

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.

EduConnect

Blood & Organ Donation Drive at Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Panjim

Tanisha Cardozo

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.