Page 28 - The Indian EYE 082225

The Indian Eye
NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 22, 2025 28

Community Comes Together for Blood

Donation Camp at AsaMai Temple

OUR BUREAU
Hicksville, NY

n a remarkable display of com-
munity spirit and compassion, a
Ihighly successful Blood Dona-
tion Camp was held today at Asa-
Mai Temple, Hicksville, led by Ms.
Navneet Sondhi, Chairperson of the
APS Women’s Forum, along with her
dedicated team — Ms. Dilsheet Kaur,
Shweta Malhotra, Priyanka Khanna,
Binny Kaur, and Swati Anand.
The original target for the camp
was 25 units of blood, but the response
far exceeded expectations — about 50
people successfully donated, more
than 10 could not donate due to eli-
gibility criteria, and many who arrived
after 4:00 PM had to be turned away.
The event was organized in part-
nership with AsaMai Temple, New
York Cancer and Blood Specialists,
New York Blood Center, and AA-
PI-QLI (American Association of
Physicians of Indian Origin – Queens
& Long Island), represented by Dr.
Devendra Srivastava, Dr. Abhay Mal-
hotra, Dr. Sunil Mehra, and Dr. Pra-
bhu Mehta, along with Dr. Tarun Wasil
(NY Cancer & Blood Specialists) and
Mr. Gobind Bhateja (AsaMai Tem-
ple). Ms. Anju Kakkar of AsaMai Tem-
ple graciously oversaw tea, snacks, and
lunch arrangements for all present.
The American Punjabi Society
extended strong support through Mr.
Gary S. Sikka (Founder & Global
President), Mr. Mohinder S. Taneja respond so strongly to a humanitarian Navneet’s “tireless commitment and “Blood is a precious resource, and to-
(Senior Vice President), Mr. Varind- cause. Every donor here has made a compassion” as the driving force be- day’s efforts will directly help patients
er S. Sikka (General Secretary), Vice difference today, and when we work hind its success. in need,” noting the remarkable turn-
Presidents Mr. Paul Bindra, Mr. Ajai together, we can create real and last- Gobind Bhateja expressed, “Serv- out and collaboration.
Vir Sondhi, Mr. Rajinder Narang, and ing impact.” ing the community is at the heart of The APS Women’s Forum, Asa-
Mr. Jaspal S. Arora, Pradeep Tandon Gary S. Sikka described the our temple’s mission, and it was an Mai Temple, and their partners remain
(Director, Media & Public Relations), camp as “a shining example of how honor to open our doors for such a committed to organizing more such
and Mr. Mohinder S. Chandok. Ms. partnerships between community or- noble cause.” initiatives to promote health, compas-
Janessa Sondhi (Director, Youth En- ganizations can save lives,” praising Dr. Tarun Wasil emphasized, sion, and unity within the community.
gagement) and volunteers Alissa Sond-
hi, Radhika Sardana, Bhavi Khan-
na, Mahi Anand, and Ms. Palwinder
Bhatti efficiently managed registra-
tion and other organizational tasks.
Setting an inspiring example,
Gary S. Sikka (Global President,
APS) and Ajayvir Sondhi (Vice Pres-
ident, APS) were the first to roll up
their sleeves and donate blood.
Navneet Sondhi shared, “It is
heartwarming to see our community

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