Thalassemia kids thank blood donors for saving their lives

Medical experts from Nanavati Super-Speciality Hospital (NSSH) stressed on the immeasurable importance of blood as a life-saving component and emphasized on the need for increased blood donation initiatives if valuable lives are to be saved. The super speciality hospital had organized a program on June 14 wherein children suffering from Thalassemia thanked blood donors for saving their lives.

Thalassemia is a blood disorder which needs regular blood transfusion from donors. “Blood donation forms an important life-saving activity and every healthy individual should donate blood regularly. India would never face a blood short-supply situation even if 1% of its population donate blood.

Though blood awareness and donation drives in urban areas have ensured sufficient blood stocks in hospitals and their periodic replenishments, it is extremely difficult to arrange blood for patients in rural areas. People in rural pockets of the country are largely reluctant to donate blood,“ said Dr. Rajendra Patankar, COO, NSSH along with reiterating the support of NSSH to thalassemia patients.

The highlight of the event was the presence of Rajesh Kankavlikar who started donating blood at the age of 18 and at the age of 27 today has completed his 34 th blood donation. His father Dr. Umesh Kankavlikar is all set to complete his century as a blood donor.

People in the age group of 18-65 can donate blood. In India, every 4 seconds a person needs blood transfusion. A single blood donation can help 3 patients while it has been observed that one in every 7people entering a hospital needs blood. Three teaspoons of blood can save a baby’s life.