36 blood donors honoured   • ‘We are grateful for your sacrificial act,’ ‒ President Ramkalawan   |15 June 2022

The blood donors in a souvenir photo with President Ramkalawan and other guests (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

On World Blood Donor Day 2022 yesterday, for the first time in Seychelles, regular and consistent donors were invited for a special event at State House at the invitation of President Wavel Ramkalawan.

“Blood is significant to life and you are helping in maintaining the lives of others. I am happy to see young donors among you all. 58% of blood collected at the hospital is from you all. I am grateful to you all as you did this sacrificial act without asking for anything in return. What you do with your heart values more in the eyes of the population.”

President Ramkalawan commended each one of the donors and shared that through their donations, many lives have been saved in Seychelles and encouraged the young generation to lead a healthy lifestyle to help the MoH in caring for those who need blood.

They were 36 in total and were conferred with a medal and a certificate.

Minister for Health, Peggy Vidot, thanked all the donors and shared that blood is always required at the hospital due to some ICU (intensive care unit) patients, cancer patients and accidents.

“WHO recommends that all people should have access to secure blood. The Ministry of Health (MoH) would like to thank all the donors who make an effort to keep themselves healthy and do all the tests. We also thank the staff of the MoH and the Red Cross who always make sure that campaigns are happening in the country. I would invite more people to come forward to do this charitable act which is so essential for the country,” said Minister Vidot.

The person who gave the most blood is the famous Harry Dingwall.

“I have given 116 pints of blood and I am 63 years old.  I will continue with my deeds and will make sure no one surpasses me. When I was young I donated blood after receiving a call following an accident. I am sad that not so many people are donating blood and many also are not regulars. I keep a healthy lifestyle and even when Covid came, I did not get infected. I also do not eat take-aways. There is always a first step for everything and I encourage young people to take that step!” said Mr Dingwall.

Jeffery Pierre, one of the silver medal winners, is now 60 and he started donating blood at the age of 17. “I was in the military and I was asked to donate blood and since then I have never stopped. The last time I gave blood was in February for my son. I am happy to be able to help save lives.”

Jokingly Mr Pierre noted that to be able to give blood, it is important to have a healthy life. “I live normally and I have a wife. You should not move from one partner to another! I will try my best to get the gold medal.”

Anne-Marie Freminot received a bronze medal and she started donating blood 20 years ago. “I started giving blood to help one of my friends who was battling cancer and since then I have never stopped. I will keep helping out whenever I can and also encourage others to join the volunteers.

The ceremony was attended by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, chief executive of the Health Care Agency Dr Danny Louange, Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon, a representative from WHO and the staff of the blood transfusion centre.

All present shared some refreshments to commemorate their day!

Thank you all for donating so sacrificially as many of us have benefitted from your act.

The recipients are:

Gold medals: Harry Joe, Georges Robert, Jude Esparon and Harry Dingwall.

Silver medals: Norman Lucas, Tony Labaleine, Sedgwick Gilbert, David Denis, Allen Prudence, Jules Arrisol, Harry Hoareau, Bryan Morel, Charles Robinson, Claude Barra, Keven Esparon and Jeffery Pierre.

Bronze medals: Michel Joubert, Edison Joe, Nillan Fonseka, Paul Mondon, Meme Charlot, Keeto Valentine, Fredrick Albest, Bibi Conrad Wilson, Gerald Maria, Suzanne Dugasse, Molly Hoareau, Michelle Thérésine, Marc-Danny Fontaine, Julita Auguste, Selvamunthu Pillay, Charlemagne Morel, Johnson Legaie, Franky Brizillia, Anne-Marie Freminot and Terry Jean Robert.

Vidya Gappy