A total of 20 individuals donated blood during the blood drive organized by Nepalese Association in Southeast America (NASeA) with its partner organization in Georgia -- Nepalese Association in Georgia
(NAG) and Nepalese Student Association at the University of Georgia. The drive was held in Alpharetta, GA on March 3.

The social heroes with big heart who donated blood were:
Hari Bhandari, Bhim Mani Adhikari, Tara Pun, Umesh Chaudari, Sangita Dongol, Sakina Shrestha, Bhabindra Basnet, Jaya Lal Sharma, Dipak Regmi, Dipendra Thapa, Angira Kharel, Badri Oli, Mohan Timilsina, Manish Shrestha, Pushpa Sharma, Baburam Sharma. The rest of the donors were of non-Nepali origin, who enthusiastically waited for their turn in a long line for the donation. Beside these donors, 11 other donors also lined up for donating but following the initial screening they were not eligible for reasons including low hemoglobin, recent travel to malaria ridden region and others. 

The enthusiastic turn out of blood donors reflected the spirit of “Giving Back to the Community” the motto of the NASeA’s blood drive. "Blood Donors Are Social Heroes" was written on the certificates of appreciation that were handed out to each of the donors. The blood units were collected by LifeSouth Community Blood Center, a professional blood collection organization that serves the south. The blood drive was held at the parking lot generously provided by the Haveli Cuisine “Nepali Restaurant.” The proprietors of the restaurant Keshav Sharma, Hari Bhandari and Bhabindra Basnet said that they were proud to be able to support the blood drive for the
sake of saving lives in the community.

“The blood drive would not have been successful without the energetic volunteers: Ananta Acharya, Ukash Nakarmi, Edward Robertson, Sauriyan Sapkota, Amod Karki, Sabina Sapkota, Bhim Mani Adhikari, Hari Bhandari, Gobinda Shrestha," said Dr. Lila Bahadur Karki, the Coordinator of the blood drive and the NASeA Chair of the Community Services/Blood Drive Committee. 
"These volunteers held signs that read 'ONE PINT OF BLOOD SAVES THREE LIVES', 'SAVE LIVES, DONATE BLOOD' and serve the social heroes with drinks, registration, and all managerial tasks during the drive. More importantly, the generous
sponsors respectively, Dilip Dahal, Surya Lamsal, Chet Nath Ghimire, Hari Bhandari, Dr. Uma Karki, Bhabindra Basnet, Mohan Timilsina, Dr. Sundar Shrestha, Maha Prasad Gelal, Dr. Nar Kaji Gurung, Raja Ghale, Lekh Nath Sharma, Tara Pun, Chola Bhandari, and NASeA President Sanjeeb Sapkota were the major pillars of the drive who wholeheartedly contributed cold drinks, water, juice, banner and monies to support the required logistics of the blood drive," Dr. Karki further said. 

The number of donors exceeds the minimum target of 18 set by the LifeSouth Blood Collection organization to come out and collect blood. This brought smile to many faces.

NASeA president, Sanjeeb Sapkota said that NASeA is really proud of its Community Services Committee that will be coordinating three blood drives in the month of March alone, an outstanding record in NASeA's history. "The other upcoming drives in March are Spartanburg, South Carolina on the 10th and Auburn, Alabama 31st." He said. 

Community Services Committee of NASeA is planning on organizing a total of 12 blood drives in 2012 in different Southern States with support from partner organizations. More information is available at www.naseaonline.org

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