Massive Health Check-up and Blood Donation Camp Held at Saint Sebastian Church, Bendur

A large-scale Blood Donation and Health Check-up Camp, organized at Saint Sebastian Church, Bendur, in collaboration with Father Muller Medical College Hospital and the Indian Cancer Society, concluded on a highly successful note. The initiative saw enthusiastic participation from over 500 people, reflecting a strong community spirit toward health and social welfare.

Inauguration and Key Dignitaries:

The program commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by several dignitaries, led by Rev. Fr Walter Dsouza, Parish Priest. Other notable figures included:

* Rev. Fr Arun Lobo, Rev. Fr Vivek Pinto, and Rev. Fr Ozmond Dsouza.

* Deepak Dsouza (Vice President), Royston Farias (Secretary), and Loy Rego (All-Commission Convener).

* Dr Abhiram Gatty (Surgical Oncology Dept) and Dr Sonia Pereira (Nursing Superintendent).

* Mr Ronald Fernandes (Secretary, Lions Club Bejai) and Mr Farzan Ahmed (President, Blood Donors Mangalore).

Emphasis on Preventive Healthcare:

Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr Walter Dsouza emphasized the timeless wisdom that “prevention is better than cure.” He urged the community to take proactive steps in maintaining their health and expressed deep gratitude to the organizers and medical teams.

A highlight of the event was the special recognition of Ln Dr Oswald Furtado, who was honored for his remarkable contribution of donating blood 51 times, serving as an inspiring example of selfless service.

Cancer Awareness and Screenings:

Dr Abhiram Gatty conducted an insightful awareness session on breast and cervical cancer. Highlighting medical statistics, he noted that approximately one in seven individuals is affected by such cancers, underlining the critical need for early detection and regular screenings.

Significant Blood Donation Drive:

The camp successfully collected 70 units of blood. A heartening aspect of the drive was the participation of many first-time donors among the youth, as well as parish clergy and religious sisters, all contributing to the noble cause.

Comprehensive Medical Services Provided:

The camp offered a wide array of free medical services to the public, including:

* Specialized Consultations: Oncology, Orthopaedics, ENT, Dermatology, and OBG.

* Diagnostics: ECG, blood sugar testing, and speech and hearing care.

* General Medicine: Routine check-ups and expert consultations.

The event was a collaborative effort involving the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), the Health, Family, and Women’s Commissions, the Lions and Leo Club of Bejai, and Blood Donors Mangalore.