The Holy Child School has marked its 80th anniversary with its first-ever blood donation exercise, yielding 424 units of blood to support healthcare services.
Two health institutions, the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) and the Swedru Government Hospital, received the pints of blood.
The exercise was part of activities to celebrate the school’s anniversary, on the theme “80 years of globally impactful women of substance.”
The lifesaving initiative, organised by the Holy Child Past Students Association (HOPSA) in collaboration with partners, brought together students, alumni, teachers and volunteers in a united effort to support the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.
Ahead of the exercise, school authorities, led by the Headmistress, Linda Appiah and a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Yaw Essilfie, organised sensitisation programmes on the need for voluntary blood donation.
Over 2,000 students and staff were educated on Ghana’s blood shortages.
The initiative received approval from the Cape Coast Metropolitan Director of Education, Thomas Kwofie and the PTA Chairman, Crescentia Osei-Bonsu, with parental consent secured for student participation.
Students from the St Augustine’s College, the Ghana National College and the Mankessim Senior High Technical School joined the exercise.
Other participants included members of the National Blood Donors Association of Ghana (NABDAG) and fitness groups from Accra, many of whom, are regular voluntary donors with dozens of lifetime donations.
Public awareness
The activities began with a float through the principal streets of Cape Coast, led by the Class of 2001 and the National Union of HOPSA.
Participants carried placards with messages such as, “Save Our Mothers and Children” and “People live when people give,” to promote voluntary blood donation.
Members of the school’s Red Cross Society played key roles in donor registration and coordination.
Some students expressed interest in making the exercise an annual event.
One class recorded 40 donors out of 49 students, while the first student donor, Cedella Adjase-Kodjo, described the process as simple and painless.
Breaking myths
A former Brand Ambassador of the National Blood Service, Maame Kwaaba Stephens, said the exercise helped to dispel misconceptions about women donating blood, while also promoting leadership and civic responsibility among students.She noted that the initiative could inspire other schools to undertake similar programmes.
Support for health facilities
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Mrs Helena Gaisie Stephens donated five blood donor beds valued at GH¢25,000 to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to enhance blood collection.
The exercise was supported by corporate sponsors and media organisations, contributing to its success.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
