Donors and thalassemia patients forge blood connection at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital

Expressing solidarity with the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) theme “Blood connects us all” and to thank all blood donors who had made differences to the lives of thalassemic patients, Nanavati Super-Speciality Hospital (NSSH) had organized a unique program on June 20 to commemorate World Blood Donor Day which is observed internationally on June 14. “Blood donation is a noble cause is an oft-repeated sentence that is heard commonly but we have experienced its kind effects. We owe every day of our living life and its beauty to donors like you. We have come here to thank you for your whole-hearted support and love and request you to continue with your blood-donation initiatives,” stated a thalassemia patient while expressing his gratitude to blood donors. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the patient needs periodic blood transfusions. Thalassemia patients and blood donors forged a closely-knit ‘blood connection’ in the program which stressed on the importance of blood donation as an important life-saving activity and sent out a message that all healthy individuals should be active blood donors. The program lent active credence to the WHO credo “Your blood saved my life, share life give Blood.”

“India would never face a short supply of blood even if 1% of its population donated blood. Though blood donation drives in urban areas have ensured sufficient stocks in blood banks and their replenishments, arranging blood for patients in rural areas continues to be a tedious task. People in rural pockets of the country are largely reluctant to donate blood, “said Dr Rajendra Patankar, COO, NSSH while reiterating NSSH’s support 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 34th blood donation. His father Dr. Umesh Kankavlikar is all set to complete his century as a blood donor.