Blood donor plans novel ways to help thalassemia patients

Cuttack: As summer season approaches, the concern of parents having thalassemia patients mounts.

?Volunteers do not turn up to donate blood during summer and the Red Cross Blood bank finds it difficult to meet the demands of some 400 thalassemia patients currently undergoing treatment here?, says Ratan Sinha, a voluntary blood donor of repute in Cuttack city.

Thalassemia patients need blood in every 45 days in order to survive, doctors said.

In order to meet the emergency, Sinha has embarked upon an innovative way. Striking an emotional chord, he is now encouraging the people to organise blood donation camps at wedding receptions, birth and death anniversaries feasts.

?Instead of presenting gifts or cash during all such occasions, if the guests are encouraged to donate blood, the sanctity of the occasion would be doubled?, says Sinha.

Sinha organised a blood donation camp here yesterday on behalf of a voluntary organisation. At least 21 volunteers, donated blood, which was handed over to Red Cross Blood Bank to be exclusively used for thalassemia patients.

The 47-year-old Sinha also donated blood on the occasion for the 99th time. ?I have been donating blood since 1986 almost every three months?, Sinha claimed. His recent efforts were commended when he arranged mobile blood donation camps in Cuttack by converting his SUV into a makeshift ambulance and went on a blood collection drive at crowded marketplaces and busy office locations.