Motto: Protecting Human Life and Dignity
Objectives:

• To raise haemoglobin levels (through transfusions) in patients with chronic ailments, diseases, cancer and anaemia.
• To save life.
• To replace blood loss during injury as in accidents.
• To replace blood loss during major surgeries.
• To help patients with blood disorders like haemophilia survive.
• To aid burnt patients receive plasma that may be critical for their survival.
• To contribute to a noble, selfless voluntary blood donation service

Why donate blood?
There is tremendous demand for blood in hospitals. Many patients die because they cannot cope with the loss of blood. The blood donated is used to.

• Replace blood lost during injury as in accidents
• Replace blood loss during major surgeries.
• Help patients with blood disorders like haemophilia survive.
• To aid burnt patients receive plasma that may be critical for their survival.
• Raise haemoglobin levels (through transfusions) in patients with chronic ailments diseases, cancer and anaemia.

Who can donate blood ?

• Some basic health conditions have to be met by donors. A donor should,
• Be above 18 years and below 60 years of age
• Have a haemoglobin count that is not less than 12.5 g/dl
• Weight not less than 45 kgs
• Have normal body temperature at the time of donation
• Have normal blood pressure at the time of donation
• Should be free of any disease at the time of donation
• The donor should not have taken any medicine in the last 48 hours
• The donors should not contacted jaundice in the previous three years

Who should not donate blood ?

• The following categories of people should avoid donating blood
• Pregnant or lactating women or those who have recently had an abortion
• Persons who are on steroids, hormonal supplements or certain specified medication
• Persons with multiple sexual partners or those who are addicted to drugs
• Persons who have had an attack of infection like jaundice, rubella typhoid
• Persons who have undergone surgery in the previous six months
• Persons who have consumed alcohol in the 48 hours prior to donation
• Women should avoid donation during their menstruating period
• Persons with any systemic disease like heart disease, kidney diseases, liver problem disorders or asthma should not donate blood
• Persons suffering from infections transmitted through transfusion like HIV, Hepatitis etc should not donate blood

How long does the process of donation take ?

Only 350 ml of blood is taken at the time of donation. An average person has 5-6 litres of in the body. In terms of volume the loss is corrected in 24-48 hours by the body. The red cell count corrected in about 56 days.
The actual bleeding time is about 5-6 minutes. There will be a medical check-up before this will be advised some rest (for 5-10 minutes) and given some refreshment after donation.
The process takes about 30 minutes.

How often can one donate blood ?
The minimum time advised between two donations is 3 months. This gap helps blood regain normal haemoglobin count.

What are the precautions that need to be taken ?
One’s health will not suffer because of blood donation. In fact, the bone marrow is stimulating to produce new cells. However, if conditions are not hygienic, one may get exposed to infection. Please ensure that disposable needles are used for blood donation.

How is blood grouped ?
The blood is screened for the following diseases/infections before grouping

• HIV
• Hepatitis B & C
• Syphilis – VDRL
• Malaria

The blood is grouped and stored either as whole blood or as components like packed red plasma or platelets. This is then sent on demand to hospitals. Blood is composed of cells in a liquid. The liquid portion is the plasma.

Suspended in the plasma are four types of cells
1. Red cells: these carry oxygen
2. White cells: these fight infection
3. Platelets: these stop wounds bleeding
4. Plasma: maintain water balance

The most common type of grouping is the ABO grouping; red blood cells have a protein coated surface, which distinguishes them. According to this blood is divided into four groups.

A (A protein is present), B (B protein is present), AB (AB protein is present) and O (no protein is present) three are subtypes under this grouping (listed as A1, A2, A1B or A2B). Apart from this, there is another protein, which plays an important part in the grouping of blood called the RH factor. If this is present, the particular blood types are called positive. If it is absentees called negative. Thus we have the following broad categories.

• A 1 Negative
• A 1 Positive
• A 1 B Negative
• A 1 B Positive
• A 2 Negative
• A 2 Positive
• A 2 B Negative
• A 2 B Positive
• B Negative
• B Positive
• O Negative
• O Positive

Tips on blood donating

• Please have a good meal at least 3 hours before donating blood.
• Please accept the snacks offered after the donation. It is recommended to have a good food later.
• Please avoid smoking on the day before donating. One can smoke 3 hours after donation.
• One is not eligible to donate blood if you have consumed alcohol 48 hours before donation.

Misconception about donating blood

• You will not feel drained or tried if you continue to drink fluids and have good meals.
• You can resume your normal activities after donating blood, avoid heavy weight lifting for twelve hours after donation.
• Donating blood will not leave you low of blood; in fact you will still have surplus blood for donation.
• While donating blood you will not feel any pain.
• You will not faint or feel uncomfortable after donating blood. This is a common misunderstanding.
• You will get AIDS if you donate blood.

2013 – 2014

Blood Identified for all the first year students Regular Blood Donation for needed people

2014 – 2015

Blood Identified for all the first year students Regular Blood Donation for needed people

2015 – 2016

Blood Identified for all the first year students Medical Camp for All First Year students with Jayaraj Annapackiam Mission Hospital 05 Students Donated Blood for needed people 86 Students Donated Blood with collaboration of GH, Tirunelveli and HDFC Bank

2016 – 2017

Blood Identified for all the first year students Medical Camp for All First Year students with Jayaraj Annapackiam Mission Hospital. 28 Students Donated Blood for needed people 101 Students Donated Blood with collaboration of GH, Tirunelveli and HDFC Bank

2017 – 2018

Blood Identified for all the first year students Medical Camp for All First Year students with Jayaraj Annapackiam Mission Hospital 27 Students Donated Blood for needed people 110 Students Donated Blood with collaboration of GH, Tirunelveli and HDFC Bank

The following camps had been conducted on St.John’s College with a motivation to carry on the health of student and the teacher:

1. On 07/07/2016Nearly 112 students have identified their respective blood groups with their own interest.
2. On 30/09/2016Nearly all first year students have participated in aMedical Camp organised in collaboration with CSIBell Hospital.
3. A mega blood donation camp conducted for the students in collaboration with HDFC Bank, NSS of St.John’s college and Government Hospital, Tirunelveli nearly 90 students voluntarily donated their blood.
4. Voluntarily blood donor registration campaign by Tamilnadu Government. All the students who are above 18 years of John’s College, including bothRegularand Self-Finance. Nearly1810students voluntarily registered their respective blood groups.
5. A free medical camp conducted for staffs and PG students on 18/03/2017 in collaboration with AgarwalEye Hospitaland Charlie Dental Clinic.