Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals celebrates National Voluntary Blood Donation Day

New Delhi: Every year, 1^st October, is celebrated as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day. The Department of Transfusion Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Blood for All (an NGO along with State Blood Transfusion Council), Govt. of NCT Delhi organise various cultural activities to commemorate this day as well as to create awareness and promote voluntary blood donation programme.

 There are 2760 licensed blood banks in the country collecting about 10 million units of blood annually. Although the percentage of voluntary blood donor is around 75%, but there is a need to convert one time voluntary donors to regular repeat voluntary donors.

Dr. RN Makroo, Centurion Blood Donor & Director Dept. of Transfusion Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals stressing on voluntary blood donation said, “Human blood is very precious and its unavailability can cost lives. Donating blood is harmless and safe to the body. There are a number of myths associated with blood donation that need to be busted for more people to come up and voluntarily donate blood. People feel hesitant in donating blood due to multiple reasons including, fear of needles, fear of pain, fear of sight of blood, fear of future weakness, fear of possible ill effects, objection from elders, ignorance and illiteracy etc. ”

He further added, “The youth is a powerful tool in this regard. It can be instrumental in dispelling myths and promoting safe donation habits. Blood donation is a noble cause and voluntary blood donors are saviors of mankind.”

The event was attended by regular voluntary blood donors, voluntary blood organizations, Blood bank officers, Thalassemia children & families promoting the cause of voluntary blood donation.

 Musical performances (dancing and singing) were given by the thalassemia children and a stage play highlighting the importance of voluntary blood donation was organized to motivate the crowd.