Mangalore: M. Hamid Ansari, vice-president of India will be a part of the valedictory function of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) centenary celebrations, which will be held at Milagres hall, on September 21.

Addressing the press meet, Dr. Derek Lobo, president of CASK said Vajubhai Vala, Governor of Karnataka, Eric Gonsalves, former ambassador and secretary, ministry of external affairs, M.S Ramanujan, chief postmaster general, Karnataka and B. Ramanath Rai, district in-charge minister will be part of the celebrations.

Dr. Lobo said CASK is the oldest lay organization in South India, established in July 1914. Over the last 100 years, CASK has worked towards fulfuling objectives such as to promote educational, economic, cultural, social and general welfare of the community.

In addition, he said CASK will work closely with Fr Muller Hospital for the promotion of blood, organ and whole body donations. CASK has donated a minus 80 degree centigrade deep freezer to the blood bank of Fr Mullers to enable blood plasma to be stored for 3-5 years. It is also proposed to increase the mortuary capacity of the hospital from the present 8 to 12 or 14 and establish a skin bank to help burn cases.