College students donate blood at a camp organised on the occasion of World Friendship Day in Sambalpur. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Aug. 5: Several youths and students of various colleges in Sambalpur today came forward to celebrate World Friendship Day by donating blood for children affected by thalassemia and sickle cell disease at a blood donation camp organised by Utsarga, a social organisation based in Sambalpur.

Junior members of the organisation had launched an extensive campaign for the cause. They had reached out to colleges, coaching centres and hostels to mobilise the youth to donate blood for such children on the eve of friendship day.

The blood donation camp was organised at Patneswari Kalyan Mandap in the city. Most of those taking part in the camp were donating blood for the first time and 96 units of blood were collected on this occasion.

“One of my seniors told me about the blood donation on the eve of friendship day. This is the first time I donated blood for a cause. Initially, when I came here, I was scared. But, I am really happy now. Blood donation is a charitable act. Everyone should donate blood for the needy. From now on, I will celebrate friendship day by doing something for the society,” said Sruti Dasmohapatra, a blood donor and a Plus Three student of Gangadhar Meher College in Sambalpur.

“Friendship day is not just about fun. The youth should come forward for a social cause and make friends with those who are in need. I am really happy today as I found an opportunity to do something for the children, who are not as lucky as I am,” said another donor, Sushree Ankita, a student of Gangadhar Meher College.

A member of Utsarga, Satyanarayana Thakur said: “By turning up at the blood donation camp, the youths and students have set an example.”

The students who donated blood on this occasion were given certificates of appreciation. Senior members of the organisation also tied friendship bands on the donors' wrists. Apart from Utsarga, several other social organisations had also come forward for this cause. The staff members of blood banks in Sambalpur and Burla were present at the camp.

Dr Salila Mishra of Sambalpur blood bank said: “I am really happy to see youths come forward to donate blood for a cause. The number of donors reflect that the youths are now aware of blood donation and their responsibility towards society.