Leader Writer: Vedajit Yumnam
In Manipur blood donation sessions take place at various places such as health centres, local community centers, clubs, educational institutions etc so as to generate awareness among masses and to promote voluntary blood donation. Mega blood donation camps are also held on special occasions and special days like World Blood Donor Day, Red Cross Day, and Independence Day and on festivals besides the camps on the regular daily basis. World Blood Donor Day which is recognized by The World Health Organization falls on June 14 each year to promote blood donation. Karl Landsteiner who discovered the ABO blood group system was born on June 14. The tenth anniversary of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) was celebrated on June 14, 2013 on the theme “Give the Gift of Life: Donate Blood”. Factories cannot make or produce blood so awareness of blood donation needs to be raised and there is a necessity for generous blood donors to contribute towards the society and save precious lives. The short shelf life of most of the components of blood used for transfusions leads to a persistent problem. Organizing blood donation camps is indispensable for fulfilling the demand for the continuous supply of blood.
People who want to donate blood have to meet some criteria. Certain formalities have to be gone through before potential blood donors give blood. They – the blood donors – must be, in short, healthy persons. The blood which is collected is more often than not stored in a blood bank. Blood is a vital component of the body that the loss of an excessive quantity of blood can lead to death and it is the fact that human blood has no substitute and blood donated by blood donors can save precious human lives. And it is imperative to motivate people to give blood and save human lives. Tens of thousands of units of blood are required on the daily basis to save life. Perhaps sickle cell patients need repeated blood transfusions throughout their lives. As many as 100 units of blood can be required by a single vehicle accident victim. Blood donation is one of the noble and commendable contributions you can make. Blood transfusions are necessary for surgery and for the treatment of vehicle accident victims, sickle cell patients and so on. Only human beings can donate and provide blood for transfusing into human beings. The blood donor-you are appreciated. Donate blood to save life; life is beyond price.