Blood donation to mark Duke of Edinburgh Day
On October 22 every year, the National Youth Awards Unit and the Gold Award Holders Association (GAHA) celebrate Youth Award Day and Duke of Edinburgh Day, commemorating Prince Philip’s first visit to Sri Lanka.
This year will be the 41st anniversary of the late Duke’s visit and Dr. Yogabandu Rajakaruna, GAHA’s Senior Advisor and Founding Chairman, together with GAHA’s Gold Initial Awardees and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award recipients of the Inertia group will hold a blood donation drive to mark the day.
“Due to COVID-19 there has been a shortage of blood in the Blood Bank for some time and this is a national issue. So we decided to hold a blood donation drive this year,” Dr. Rajakaruna said.
The blood donation drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abeyarama Temple in Narahenpita, close to the Blood Bank. Dr. Rajakaruna said the event will not only honour the Duke who passed away on April 9 this year, but will also commemorate those who have died of COVID-19 over the past two years, including two former chairpersons of GAHA – Chathurani Abeyweera and Saman Amarasinghe. So far, around 100 donors are expected to participate.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an international youth award programme for teenagers and young adults. The Duke was inspired by educator and academic Kurt Hahn, and became an advocate for education and non-formal learning among the youth.
“Any young person below the age of 25 can qualify for a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award as long as they are engaged in any extra-curricular activity alongside their studies,” said Dr. Rajakaruna.
He noted that many youth in Sri Lanka are unaware of this youth awards scheme which is divided into three stages, leading to a Bronze award, a Silver award and a Gold award.
All those interested in donating blood, are welcome for the blood donation drive next Friday.