mission blood
Blood cannot be manufactured in factories; it can only come from generous donors.
Awareness about blood donation in India is sharply skewed. While some states, like Delhi are able to accumulate 233% extra blood than what is required, other needy states like Bihar face a deficit of as much as 85%. The cause for this wide difference in blood donation is primarily the lack of knowledge about its simple process in the lesser-developed states and the various unfounded myths that people have harboured over the centuries. On the whole, India today faces a shortage of 10% relative to its blood requirements. In absolute terms, this means that we require to cover a shortfall of over 12 lakh units. Given that the eligible donor population of India is more than 512 million, this deficit is surprising. But it also means that the shortage of blood supply can be covered within a day. If only we contribute.
With more than 1200 road crashes occurring every day in India, 60 million trauma induced surgeries are performed in the country every year. The 230 million major operations, 331 million cancer related procedures like chemotherapy and 10 million pregnancy complications all require blood transfusion. Besides this, patients being treated for sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and haemophilia require large quantities of blood daily.
Mumbai needs at least 1,000 donors daily. Currently City hospitals are reeling under a severe shortage of blood. Mumbai, the city that has a population of over 22 million, is facing a drastic shortage of blood in the blood-banks which are run by the government which has resulted in relatives of patients running from pillar to post in emergencies. Another reason for the shortage of blood is the ban on payment to blood donors that was enacted in 1995. However, difficult as it may be, this ban has also prevented unsafe blood donations where often people contaminated with communicable diseases appeared for paid donation frequently.
Voluntary blood donations increased from just 54.3% in 2006 to 83% at the end of 2012. The shortfall has also gone down from 17% to the present 9% of the blood requirement. Credit for this can be attributed to the many NGOs and blood bank organisations that have been operating in India, trying to sensitize the public of the benefits of blood donation.
There are several parameters that determine the eligibility of an individual to donate blood. Guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health, Government of India have to be followed by blood banks and organizations conducting blood donation camps.
Overall health : The donor must be fit and healthy, and should not be suffering from transmittable diseases.
Age and weight : The donor must be 18–65 years old and should weigh a minimum of 50 kg.
Pulse rate : Between 50 and 100 without irregularities.
Hemoglobin level : A minimum of 12.5 g/dL.
Blood pressure : Diastolic: 50–100 mm Hg, Systolic: 100–180 mm Hg.
Body temperature : Should be normal, with an oral temperature not exceeding 37.5 °C.
Time Period : The time period between successive blood donations should be more than 3 months.
According to WHO data, India faces a shortage of 3 million blood units. This shortage can easily be eliminated if only an additional 2% of India’s youth donates blood. To make this possible, The Third Eye Foundation acts as a channel connecting voluntary blood donors with those who need blood. It is a youth-run organization and provides free help and specially works to target the poor and the needy.
Register as a blood donor
Please click on the below link to register as a Volunteer to donate Blood, we will contact you whenever, the need of Blood arises. You help is highly appreciated.