IAU Blood Drive In V-Fort Hailed

THE true spirit of volunteerism came to the fore in Vieux-Fort on Wednesday, when the medical students of IAU College of Medicine and scores of residents of the south of the island volunteered to donate blood in a donation drive, at an event to commemorate National Volunteer Week.

The event, a collaboration between the National Volunteer Office and the International American University of Medicine (IAU) was held under the theme: “Volunteering Excellence.” National Volunteer Week ends tomorrow.

People from all walks of life in the south took part in the event which was held on the school’s compound. Participants commended the initiative of the organisers and expressed the need for such an event to be a prominent feature of the National Volunteer Office calendar of activities to commemorate National Volunteer Week.

The International American University of Medicine, located in Vieux-Fort, which has built a reputation for holding very successful community based activities such as health fairs, played the leading role in generating interest in the blood donation drive.

A few years ago, the school created history in St. Lucia when it organised a blood donation drive in Vieux-Fort, with the collaboration with the St. Lucia Blood Bank, at which the largest number of units of blood was donated to the bank in a single event.

Brendan Bellas, a resident who donated , said he welcomed the initiative, adding that it will go a long way in promoting volunteerism in the south of the island.

“The life you save might be yours…so the event is of great significance,” Bellas said.

Cyril Saltibus, the national volunteer coordinator said the objective of the event was to create an awareness of the importance of volunteerism in the south, especially among the youth. He lamented that the spirit of volunteerism is dying slowly in the island and every effort should be made to revitalize it.

Saltibus said his office is hoping to start a chapter in the south, with IAU playing a pivotal role in that regard.

The national volunteer coordinator commended IAU for the role it has played in the blood donation drive and sees it as a partner in their effort of promoting volunteerism in the south of the island.

Dean of Basic Sciences at the school, Dr. James Villanueva described the event as very successful, adding that the school is committed to promoting volunteerism in the south, and by extension the island. “We are united in selflessly serving Vieux-Fort and other communities in St. Lucia. We will continue to serve the people of St. Lucia in whatever way we can…” Villanueva said.

He sees volunteerism as a perfect way to promote unity and deal with some of the challenges the country faces, adding that it also showed a level of patriotism.

The Dean of Basic Sciences commended the Public Relations Officer of the school, SibiGopalakrishnan, National Volunteer andDr. Rasheed Agboola for their tremendous effort towards the success of the event.

By: Kingsley  Emmanuel