Guru Nanak College has included blood donation as part of its academic calendar.
What’s it about? The students and staff of Guru Nanak College in Velachery have made blood donation a habit. During the semester breaks in April and November, they organise a blood donation drive on campus. The second drive of this year happened on November 10, with representatives of major blood banks present.
- The drive is conducted on working days to help increase attendance. Blood donations are part of their regular functioning as they incentivise students with extra credits and relaxing attendance.
- The auditorium and a hall above the canteen are transformed into a mini-ward with medical staff setting up their equipment. Due to the rains and the T20 World Cup match, attendance wasn’t as high this time.
Part of their DNA: Over the years, the college’s NSS and NCC students have played a key role in organising these drives. In 2018-19, 1,109 units were collected. The highest came in 2021-22 with more than 1,200. During the pandemic, students were sent to hospitals to donate. The college has a database of students and their blood groups.