World Blood Donor Day: How these habitual donors have saved many lives

At 30, Dombivli resident Keyur Parekh is a role model for every Mumbaikar. Reason: He has been a favourite with Mumbai hospitals when it comes to blood donation and has donated blood on more than 70 occasions and platelets around 53 times.

"I first donated blood when I was 18 as a relative of mine needed blood transfusion. During his admission, I got friendly with the blood bank owner, who asked if I could become a donor on call and I agreed to that," said the businessman. He said that such is the demand that he has donated platelets twice in a month and does not mind travelling to any part of the city.

"The thought that my blood is helping someone gives me immense happiness. I feel nice that I am of some help to the society," said Parekh. He said that he makes it a point to spread awareness about blood donation among his relatives and friends. "I have motivated 4-5 friends to donate blood. Though they are not regular like me, but when required, they are always there," said Parekh.

Like Parekh, Anand Dnyane, a Khargar resident, has also been a regular blood donor with DATRI in Mumbai. "I first donated blood on a trip to Mumbai at a camp organised by the Rotract club near Grant Road railway station. Since then I have been donating blood every year," said Dnyane, who is now 43 and a coordinator for blood stem cell donor registry DATRI in Mumbai.

Dnyane has so far donated blood 50 times and platelets around 17 times. This despite an accident that has damaged a nerve in his right hand leading to restricted movement. "A handicap should not prevent people from donating," he added. His enthusiasm has motivated others to donate blood and his 12-year-old son, too, is already eager to turn a blood donor.

126 – that's the astounding number of times Deepak Shukla, 53, has given blood. What's more? If you count the number of times his extended family has donated blood, the tally stands at 300!

"I first donated blood on 15th August, 1981. I believe that no one should die for want of blood and without donating blood," Shukla shared.

A lecturer at Chalisgaon near Jalgaon, he has motivated several others to donate blood on a regular basis. The work he does is not for any selfish cause he insisted, "God has given me everything. I do this only to help others."

Dr Anand Deshpande, consultant, transfusion medicine & hematology at PD Hinduja Hospital said that people like Parekh are real heros and need to be appreciated. "Even at odd hours, they have been here to donate blood. We should appreciate them as their deed is selfless. We need more people like them," said Deshpande.

To understand the awareness between common man on blood donation, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) did a survey among 200 patients coming to public hospitals in Mumbai. "The survey revealed that the awareness is very poor. As many as 120 people out of 200 felt that donating blood makes them feel weak which is false. 69 of them believed that one should go for complete bed rest after donating blood which is again false," said Dr Sagar Mundada, president of MARD.

He said that a total of 72 people thought that one should not donate blood frequently as it lowers the body's immunity level. "Donating blood cannot lower immunity levels. We realised that awareness on blood donation is a must as time and again hospitals face scarcity of blood," said Mundada.

Talking about safe blood transfusion, Dr Shrikala Acharya, additional project director at Mumbai Districts AIDS Control Society (MDACS) said that in Mumbai transmission of HIV via blood transfusion is 0.02%. "I think there is a need to have a strong pre-donation counselling where people involved ion high-risk activities can be stopped from donating blood," said Acharya.