Indians are known for their compassion and charity. However just 1% of Indians donate blood annually, hence there is a two million blood unit shortage in India. As a result, there is a shortage of blood because those with cancer, those injured in accidents, and people having surgery all need blood transfusions. Furthermore, the need for blood is much greater now than it was a few decades ago due to growing populations.
World Blood Donor Day
World Blood Donor Day is commemorated on June 14 every year since 2005 as officially declared by The World Health Assembly. It offers a unique opportunity to recognise and express gratitude to voluntary blood donors around the globe for their gift of blood and has grown to be a major action focal point for achieving widespread access to safe blood transfusions.
The 2023 Campaign
This year’s campaign catchphrase is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, and share often.” It emphasises the important role that every person may play by contributing the priceless gift of blood or plasma and focuses on people who require lifelong transfusion support. It also emphasises how crucial it is to routinely donate blood or plasma to build a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can always be made available, anywhere in the globe, to ensure that all patients in need may receive prompt care.
Gentleman with 105 times blood donations
The world has witnessed worst days during pandemic. While there is regular requirement of blood for people suffering from Thalassemia and various other diseases, it had become difficult to meet the requirement of blood during the days of pandemic. Though we have a voluntary donor from the city, Dev Patel who has donated blood for 105 times.
“I have donated blood 56 times, platelets 17 times, SDP 29 times, bone marrow twice and WPC once,” confirms Patel, 40 who runs Youth Humanity Foundation since past eight years and have been spreading awareness on blood donation in the city and across India.
On asking him what motivated him to donate blood regularly, he says, “I had family emergency when I was three months short of 18 years. We couldn’t find the perfect match of blood and that was the first time I had donated blood at my own risk.” One must note that the minimum eligibility of donating blood is 18 years.
Patel has donated blood at various organisations and blood banks though he chooses to donate blood in the time of emergency. “There is a definite requirement of blood every day. I reserve myself to donate at the right time when someone is in desperate need,” opines Patel. He is nostalgic of the Covid 19 days when there was shortage of blood and his blood donation camp had saved the lives of many. “We had contributed over 300 units of blood and over 200 plasma donations when we were struggling for blood during pandemic,” concludes Patel.
There is not just one, but many who have donated blood and helped save lives of people during crucial situation. Our Vadodara salutes those s/heroes on the occasion of Blood Donor Day today.
