A’bad just behind US, Japan, Germany in blood donation

Ahmedabad has ranked just after the US, Switzerland, Japan and Germany in the case of blood donation, as a percentage of the population coming forward for this worthy endeavour.

According to the Ahmedabad branch of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Ahmedabad notched up 1.58 units of blood in donations in 2008-09 - with 3.5 per cent of the population of 45 lakh contributing to this. Countries like Canada, UK and France rank lower down the order, with blood donors forming 3.4 per cent of the total population of these countries. In this regard, Germany is just 0.5 per cent ahead of Ahmedabad’s figure. “The US, Switzerland, Japan and Germany are ahead of Ahmedabad with 4.9, 4.8, 4.7 and 4.0 per cent, respectively. If we add another 23,000 units to Ahmedabad’s present figure, we will be on equal terms with Germany,” said Mukesh Patel, president of the Ahmedabad branch of IRCS.

He said that the Ahmedabad Red Cross Blood Programme (ARCBP) is being organised this Sunday, on the occasion of World Blood Donors’ Day, to celebrate the spirit and pride of Ahmedabad. “We are launching our mascot - Sherdil - for the ARCBP,” said Patel. Gujarat health minister Jaynarayan Vyas will be the chief guest at the event and Ahmedabad mayor Kanaji Thakore, the guest of honour.