SBSA sustaining the community through blood donation |08 November 2022
The Seychelles Business Studies Academy hosted its first ever blood drive event on its campus on Thursday November 3, 2022 and a group of 40 donors, consisting of lecturers and students, harmoniously responded to the great cause.
The health team promptly converted one of the classrooms into a blood donation room and made available three mobile beds among other necessary appliances to cater for the process. Usually, the Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA) has a team who volunteers for blood donation twice a year and this is carried out at the blood bank at Victoria Hospital. Thus, certainly a change of scenery for the team from the bloodbank.
Seydou Sylla, head of programme for Diploma in Accounting and Finance, spearheaded the blood drive event and referred to it as a successful turnout. He affirmed that 50 volunteers had their name listed for the event, although 10 were disqualified because of either fresh piercings, or low blood-pressure, or recent surgery.
Mr Sylla declared that "giving blood to save lives is the most humanitarian deed. It highlights our co-existence as human beings. I believe if people start at an early age to give blood, there is great chance that they become regular donors." He further reinforced that students' awareness should be drawn on the importance for the country to have a healthy blood bank. It is an integrated approach to learning and contributing to one of the country's greatest needs.
SBSA director Josianne Bristol emphasised that the substantial number of participants reflects SBSA's commitment towards the community. Mrs Bristol said: “We are proud to continuously be able to answer this call for blood donation and I congratulate and thank all those who took part. SBSA staff and students have really made a difference as their selfless act today will certainly save lives! We plan to continue supporting the blood bank and hope to organise another such blood drive early in 2023.”
The blood donation came to an end at around 2pm with a success figure of 32 units collected. The newly appointed SBSA board applauded SBSA staff and students for their benevolent gesture and foresee the academy embracing continued visibility in the communities and in society at large.
Elizabeth Banda, senior programme manager from Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude towards SBSA’s vibrant blood donors “who voluntarily participated in saving lives and for their continuous support in replenishing the blood bank. Indeed goodwill runs in your blood and may it flow into someone with love. It will go a long way as you have given someone a lifeline, just at the right time. You did a good deed and it is literally life-changing.”
Additionally, Mrs Banda publicised that the blood bank family doors remain always open for individuals or group contributions who wish to join them.She concluded that this marked the fourth blood drive with the team since 2021 and it was a great success.
Loyalty knows no boundaries,whenever there is a need for blood SBSA is a jiffy-away and will respond, even if with a small group. A significant day it has been for SBSA with an incredibly happy health team leaving the premises.
Blood donors grant second chance at life!
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