Over 500 Samaritans brave pandemic and lockdown to donate blood, save lives
June 14 is celebrated as World Blood Donors Day to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood
cityairnews
Jun 13, 2020 06:16
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Mumbai: In past two and a half months, over 500 voluntary blood donors from across Mumbai travelled to Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital to save lives of patients in dire need of blood transfusion. The heart-warming act of these Samaritans came at a time when blood banks across Mumbai were suffering an acute shortage of blood and blood components.
The blood collected from these Samaritans has helped hundreds of patients needing blood transfusions due to thalassemia, cancer, dialysis and lifesaving surgeries of emergency trauma patients.
Dr Rinku Bhatia, Head of Blood Transfusion Department, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital said, “Its heart-warming to see how regular blood donors continued their lifesaving mission of donating blood and blood products amidst the pandemic. We created a special pass for all our voluntary donors to be able to travel during lockdown. I like to thank the kind-hearted Mumbai Police for allowing smooth travel of our donors,” said Dr Bhatia.
Many voluntary blood donors, attached to Nanavati Hospital, have been donating blood for over 15-20 years. Mr. Subhash Churi – a resident of Vile Parle who has frequently donated blood for two decades, said he has donated blood for thalassemia patients. “Small kids diagnosed with thalassemia need regular blood transfusion but due to the COVID pandemic, blood supply is scarce, Thus I decided to come and donate blood for thalassemia patients. On this World Blood Donors day, I hope more people come forth to donate blood, after ensuring their own safety,” said Mr Churi.
Being at the forefront of forming policies for both COVID and Non-COVID emergency procedures, blood donations at Nanavati Hospital are life saving for patients in need of blood transfusion due to emergency surgeries or clinical conditions. As suggested by Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Udhhav Thackeray, the acts of voluntary blood donors will be extremely essential to address possible blood shortage in the future.
