On 14 June, countries worldwide celebrate World Blood Donor Day with events to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The theme of the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign, “Every blood donor is a hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero by giving blood. While recognizing the silent and unsung heroes who save lives every day through their blood donations, the theme also strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly. No words will suffice as we look to thank these selfless individuals. ThankYou Blood Donors – You Are Giving Life A Better Chance.
 
While on one side we thank these heroes, on the other side there is apprehension and fear. Reason? We don't have enough number of people standing up to become such heroes. On an average it is estimated that a unit of blood is required somewhere in Karnataka almost every minute! The dearth of voluntary blood donors will only pave way for professional donors and black marketing of the life saving red fluid.

Take for example the case of patients at a Thalassemia Day Care Centre at a Government supported hospital in the city of Bangalore. A total of about 140-150 children take regular treatment for Thalassemia here. Their 'regular' treatment consists of a blood transfusion, and sadly many of them are struggling to find that hero among the countless potentially available donors. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that gets detected at a very early age. The only hope of survival for these children is regular blood transfusion (1 or more units of blood are required for every patient every month). This unit keeps their hopes of survival month after month. Karnataka has many such centres underlining the magnitude of the need for blood. In the last few months, patients in the north eastern belt of the state are struggling to find a safe unit of blood.

An analysis of the blood stocks in the safest of blood banks in Bangalore city in the last 4 months presents the statistical perspective of the problem. The data for the entire state reads even worse. Acute shortage of safe blood has is causing miseries of the extreme nature in far away nook and corners of Karnataka.

This data has been extracted from the records available at the statewide helpline for blood run by Sankalp India Foundation, a registered voluntary organization that works for blood transfusion services in Karnataka. The RCE (Response Centre Executive) at the helpline says that in the last 1 month most blood banks across the state are expressing helplessness about the poor availability of blood. “Some blood banks just report 0 stock, meaning that safe blood in that region of the state is a matter of concern” adds the RCE.

The solution for this problem is very simple "Voluntary Blood Donation". People have to realize the fact that human blood cannot be manufactured artificially it has to be donated by an other human. More over, blood donation has its own health benefits. “A voluntary donor is the most preferred blood donor. NACO (National Aids Control Organization) and WHO (World Health Organization) stresses on the importance and need of safe blood through voluntary blood donations. In a place like ours people are hesitant to donate blood voluntarily and we need to go all the way to Bangalore for blood donation drives. Even in Bangalore there is a crisis for blood” says Dr Das, Blood Bank Medical Officer, R L Jalappa Hospital, Kolar.

Dr Sumitra, Blood Bank Medical Officer from Bangalore's Rashtrothana Blood Bank too says that the trend has been very alarming in the last 2 months.  Rashtrothana Blood Bank conducts plenty of voluntary blood donation drives in and around Bangalore. “We are getting only a limited number of voluntary blood donation drives in the last 2-3 months. The need has shot up rapidly since April. In our blood bank stocks are consumed within 4 hours of blood being processed and made ready for issue. Many times we are just unable to help patients in need due to unavailability and guide them to the statewide helpline” she adds.

Although Sankalp, talks to companies and colleges and organizes quality oriented voluntary blood donation drives, the need for safe blood is higher than ever. Says Lalith Parmar, President Sankalp India Foundation “There is a severe shortage of voluntarily donated blood in Karnataka. Even in a city like Bangalore, due to exams and vacations for most students, the blood banks are dry and out of stock.  Spread awareness about voluntary blood donation to as many people as you can. Its your chance to be a hero, you can come forward and conduct a blood donation camp at your organization, college. Its your chance to save someone's precious life.” The first step is for the organization to make up it's mind. “Once they are ready to hold a blood donation drive, we will handle things professionally and ensure  that motivation and education is given to donors and conduct a safe, quality oriented blood donation drive”, he added.