BLOOD LNE THE JOURNAL 2020 | 54 voluntary Promoting Voluntary Blood Donation

Shrinking Blood donor pool

Blood need and Blood safety tion leads to less share of voluntary blood donors for individual blood banks .Bias The vision of Safe blood transfusion ser- in allocation of blood donation camps by vices in gained priority with the re- Blood donation camp organisers leads to Dr. T. Ravindra alisation of spread of HIV through blood surplus blood units in some blood banks Assistant professor transfusion and the subsequent Public and scarcity in the remaining blood banks Department of Transfusion Medicine interest litigation leading to the landmark ,paving way to business and profiteering Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher judgment by the Honourable Supreme .New deferral guidelines and inconsisten- Education and Research, Porur, court on the ban on professional blood do- cies between the rules and guidelines lead , Tamilnadu-600116 nation .Since then the thrust for voluntary to loss of donors who were earlier eligible Email: [email protected] Blood donation has been constantly deliv- to donate. Misconceptions that blood is ered by blood banks, blood donor organ- sold for profit, as believed by a significant isers ,Government and Non-Government proportion of people discourages them organisations. India needs more than 12 from blood donation. Blood donation must units to all blood banks, there shall be par- million donations per annum while our an- be made a satisfying experience. Donors ticipation from the nearby blood banks to nual blood collection is just above 10 mil- Subjected to painful phlebotomy, donors provide education to prospective blood do- lion units. who were not adequately managed during nors during recruitment drives. Voluntary donor adverse reactions may carry a nega- repeat blood donors must be adequately Shrinking Blood donor pool: tive experience about blood donation. recognised not only by the blood banks and hospitals but also by the government The Voluntary blood donation in NACO Measures to expand organisations, educational institutions supported blood banks shows gradual in- Blood donor Pool and business establishments. Community crease from year 2006 to 2015 then a de- should be educated about the blood need cline to 77% in 2016-2017( till November Conversion rate of replacement donors and the current requirement or deficit of 2017).Voluntary blood donation in India or family donors to regular voluntary do- blood units for the community. Informa- has been mainly through organisation of nors must be actively carried out by blood tion and education about the functioning blood donation camps by various donor banks. Recruitment of eligible individuals of blood banks and the processes involved groups , business organisations and insti- as voluntary blood donors must pick up in blood processing during blood dona- tutions .The blood need has been rising pace .Individuals joining employment , or tion or donor recruitment drives may help steadily owing to the increased demand college students joining their college must them understand the facts behind recovery from increased longevity of aging popu- be educated and provisions be made for of processing fee. Blood donors must be lation , increase in road traffic accidents , enrolment in blood donor club .A blood ensured a satisfying blood donation expe- early diagnosis and increased prevalence donor club must be formed independently rience. Blood bank personnel must exhibit of malignancies. The rise in demand of or as part of NSS or NCC and must be func- a professional and pleasing attitude. The blood does not match the number of tioning .Blood donor club shall be consti- ambience of the blood donation area, the blood units collected through voluntary tuted in business establishments and the blood bank personnel’s conduct must be blood donation and always a deficit is blood donor recruitment drives shall be conducive for a pleasant blood donation experienced .Increase in the number of made as a part of corporate social respon- experience blood banks with unequal spatial distribu- sibility .To ensure equal availability of blood World Aids Day 2019 World Aids Day (WAD) is considered as an opportunity for organizations across the world to spread awareness about HIV – Aids and celebrate and support global efforts to prevent HIV infections. Terumo Penpol We celebrated WAD 2019 with a four- As part of the awareness week, blood do- over the years day awareness program for students. The nation camps were organized at RKD NSS observes WAD to awareness sessions mainly touched upon HSS, Christian College and Saraswathi spread awareness topics such as voluntary blood donation Vidyalaya on the 25th, 27th and 29th re- on blood dona- and HIV – Aids. spectively. tion by mo- The sessions were held between 25th and The awareness sessions were held at RKD bilizing stu- 29th of November. The culmination of the NSS HSS, Govt. HSS Medical College, Saras- dents and program was inaugurated by Adv. V K Pras- wathi Vidyalaya and Christian College, Kat- organiza- anth, the newly elected MLA of Vattiyoor- takada. tions. kavu at Saraswathi Vidyalaya School.

RKD NSS HSS

A blood donation camp and awareness session was organized at Raja Kesavadas NSS Higher Secondary School, moderated by Dr. Vinu Rajendran, Gokulam Medical College. The NSS volunteers of the school participated in the talk.Post the ses- sion a Quiz program was organized with blood donation as theme and 10 mugs were given away as gifts for the students. A total of 35 donations happened during the camp.

GHSS Medical College

The students of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Medical College benefitted immensely from an awareness talk by Mr. Sam Chadran, Senior Executive, I & D. The session was corroborated with a Quiz competition that was participated enthusiasti- cally by the students. The session also acted as a motivational talk for many students. Christian College, Kattakada

The session was moderated by Mr. K P Rajagopal, a flag bearer in the field of voluntary blood donation and the founding member of Kerala Blood Donors Society. Later that day, a Quiz competition was also organized for students.

blood line 2 Saraswathi Vidyalaya

World Aids Day observance concluded educational institutions in Trivandrum. cally by the students of the school. in an emphatic fashion at Saraswathi Mr. T S Mani was the guest of honor at These actions are providing dividends Vidyalaya School. The school housed the event, apart from speaking at the as the one of these schools conducted a blood donation camp and an aware- event, he was kind hearted enough to a camp after the session which had ness session which was inaugurated by donate blood. a massive turn out. The teachers in- Mr. V K Prasanth MLA of Vattiyoorkavu. Dr. Amitha R, Asst Professor, SCTIMST formed us that the awareness session This was the final event of the five day moderated the awareness session we organized played as a major factor awareness sessions scheduled across which was participated enthusiasti- in getting them those numbers.

Jaidev Raut - Nationwide Cycle Journey to spread the message of voluntary blood donation Jaidev Raut, a social worker riding a cycle across Dr. Debashish Gupta, HOD, Blood Bank, Sree India to promote voluntary blood donation was Chitra Institute for Medical Sciences and Tech- felicitated at SCTIMST and Medical College Hos- nology and Dr. Meena, HOD, Medical College pital Blood Bank upon his arrival at Trivandrum Blood Bank conveyed their appreciation and today. gave a token of appreciation to Jaidev. Starting from he crossed Orissa, Receiving the felicitation he said that his major Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu before reach- objective is to make our country 100% self-suf- ing Trivandrum. We were fortunate to help him ficient on blood adequacy. He is supported by by helping him find an accommodation at Sree District Red Cross Society, . Ramakrishna Ashrama Hospital, Sasthaman- Both the events were coordinated by Terumo galam. Penpol.

CET Organizing 80 Blood Donation Camps with the support of TERUMO PENPOL One of the most promising educational in- criteria required to donate blood. There are stitute of Trivandrum, College of Engineer- a total of 44 classes and once three months ing, is celebrating its 80th year and as part is passed the cycle repeats. of the celebrations the NSS unit of CET has initiated a program called “Hridyam” that They will be seeking support from Medical aim at organizing 80 blood donation camps College, RCC and SCTIMST Blood Banks. over a span of an year. Terumo Penpol will be partnering with this program along with All Kerala Blood Donors The blood donation camp for a specific day Society. will be allotted to a specific classroom and Good luck to the NSS volunteers at CET who an awareness session will be conducted have been unconditional in the support to- at the selected class one day prior to the wards Voluntary Blood Bonation. camp so that the students adhere to the 3 blood line Farewell To U Suresh, Founder Member, all Kerala Blood Donors Society U Suresh, former PSC member and a friend, who was more like a mentor , had Son of Mr. prominent activist passed away at the age passed away. He had always been there for Bhaskaran of 60 in Trivandrum. He was a leader in the us and played a really significant part in Panicker, a field of Voluntary blood donation and was promoting voluntary blood donation. prominent responsible in bringing together individu- communist als and organizations in the field of volun- Today, we really missed him because it’s leader who tary blood donation to start a collective hard to believe that a person who took was one of the known as All Kerala Blood Donors Society. things on him just to save us from silly founders of An astute gentleman, Suresh was one of mistakes and the one who won so many the newspaper the major reasons why Terumo Penpol got hearts is no longer with us today. Janayugam, involved with KEBS and it was because of Suresh was his guidance and leadership we sustained Suresh was a great person, always help- a vociferous our association. Suresh was always the go ful, always caring, and always the first one reader and a to person for KEBS and the blood dona- to stand up to situations. Apart from hav- prolific writer. tion activities of Terumo Penpol, be it the ing a great personality Suresh absolutely He penned two books. innovative ideas he comes up with or the loved to help people around him. We He is survived by his wife Sreedevi and his motivation he generates. were proud of Suresh because he made two daughters Gayathri and Gatha. us proud all the time. This is a terrible loss for the blood dona- tion fraternity. Before being a PSC member, Suresh It is really sad and hard to believe that our worked with State Bank of Travancore

Everything you need to know before donating blood

It is estimated that every two seconds a a person can donate in one go is because be consumed. person needs blood. The demand versus there is a limited amount of blood in each The blood which you donate will be uti- supply gap when it comes to blood dona- one’s body which depends upon various lised by accident victims, people suffering tion is huge in our country. It is important factors such as weight, age and height of from critical blood disorders like sickle cell, to understand that blood cannot be manu- the person. When a person donates 1 unit, haemophilia, and even cancer patients. factured. Hence, this immense require- that much amount and its components can Thus, all donated blood is tested for dis- ment can only be fulfilled by voluntary be recovered by the body within a span of eases like HIV, hepatitis, syphilis and other blood donation. few hours to weeks without affecting the infections to make sure that these blood Blood donation is a straightforward act, health of the donor. do not get transmitted from one but before you donate blood, it is impor- Not everyone is eligible to donate blood. person to another. tant to be aware about a few things- As a rule, only people who are above 18 Donating blood is a noble act which saves Blood is a complex tissue which is made up years of age are allowed to donate blood many lives. On average, a person can do- of various components like red blood cells, in India. Other essential criteria is body nate blood after every 3 months. However, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. weight which should not be less than 45 kg this limitation varies for different blood When you donate blood, it is separated and overall health which means that one components, as in case of platelets one into blood components like red cells, plate- shouldn’t be sick with any kind of bacte- can donate them after every 3 days but lets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. From rial, fungal or viral infection. Pregnant and only 24 times in one year. Make a habit each unit of whole blood, various compo- breast-feeding women should not donate of donating blood regularly and encour- nents can be derived. Thus, it is said that blood. age others to do the same. In our country, 1 unit of blood can save about three lives. Before donating blood, it is important to where there is critical shortage of donated Donors can donate the whole blood or only have a wholesome meal at least 2-3 hours blood, each donation matters. donate specific blood components. Special prior so that blood sugar level stays stable. By Dr Mohit Chowdhury, Consultant, equipment is used for the purpose of do- To compensate for the loss of fluids from Transfusion Medicine, Molecular Biology nating only certain blood components, in a the body, one should stay hydrated with and Transplant Immunology, Indraprastha process which is called apheresis. juices and water to avoid low blood pres- Apollo Hospitals Typically only one unit (about 450 ml) is sure. After donating blood, caffeinated Source :Times of India Newspaper withdrawn from each donor. The reason beverages should be avoided, and foods there is a limitation on how much blood which are rich in iron and Vitamin C should

blood line 4 Farewell To U Suresh, THANK YOU MESSAGE from Founder Member, all Kerala Blood Donors Society the Mother of the recipient and felt a sudden sense of urgen- The message below is one of the most cy, almost fear. We loaded up and powerful TBCT have ever received from a went to the emergency depart- patient or family member. It can stand by ment, from there, I was sent up to itself as 2020’s first issue of “Best of Thank labor and delivery. They got me the Donor.” As if the story wasn’t powerful hooked up the fetal monitor and enough by itself, please note that the mom I got to hear his heartbeat, now here is is expressing her Attitude of GratitudeTM our nurse came back and said that my baby when our story changes. I don't know what for care given to her baby 18 months ago. wasn't breathing very well and needed to your faith is or if you believe in anything, Our good work lives on and on. Hopefully be intubated. They took my baby and hus- but the rest of our story is nothing short the young man below will be one of the band and rushed to the NICU. I looked over of a miracle. many blood recipients alive to carry our when he went passed me, he was as white Our nurse had taken care of us before caring efforts directly into the 22nd Cen- as the blanket. I kept praying and trying to and was really kind and listened to our tury! hold it together. This is where you enter concerns, she left and came back into the Message: On July 15th, 2018 I started that our story, and you'll never know how much room and tried several methods to get my Sunday just like any other Sunday. I got your donation means to my family and me. baby to respond. After the third failed at- ready and went to church, I was 36 weeks When my son was born, he was missing tempt she said we were going to have a pregnant. During praise and worship, my 70% of his blood, the NICU staff was calling baby that day. She called the on-call doctor baby loved the music. My husband is the down to the lab yelling for STAT blood, say- and told him he needed to come up there, worship leader at our church, so I always ing they needed it before he was born. In then she prepped me for a C-section. The thought he loved listening to his daddy our story, minutes mattered. He ended up OBGYN said he felt comfortable taking my sing and play. That morning he wasn't mov- getting 5 transfusions over two days, plus baby at 36 weeks gestation, but you could ing, so after the second song, I started to plasma and other blood products. Because see him weighing the choice. Within 1 push on my stomach trying to see if I could you donated, I got to take my son home hour of walking into the hospital, I was be- 'wake him up'. He never moved, after my 32 days later. We've never met, but I am ing wheeled into the OR. Once on the table husband came and sat down and I told eternally grateful for you and the gift you it all went very fast, once the doctor said, him that I thought something was wrong gave us. Over our time in the hospital, we "Baby out" the room went silent. I work in because our baby wasn't moving. After learned that if we waited 20 more minutes the hospital that my son was born in and church we went to eat, and I made sure to to go to the hospital, he wouldn't have anytime the staff is quiet, it's never good. It eat a bunch because he ALWAYS got hic- made it, if the blood bank didn't have your seemed like forever before my nurse came cups after I ate. On the way home, I told blood, he wouldn't have made it. So, from over to tell my husband not to take pic- my husband again that something wasn't the bottom of my heart, thank you for be- tures, I was trying to listen and figure out right. I went home and did everything I ing a huge reason my baby is alive. was happening. After a few more minutes, could to make him move. I started to pray John Travelled abroad? Blood banks ask donors KOZHIKODE: Blood banks in the district Kottaparamba Government Women and stop collecting blood from persons arriv- have implemented a mandatory precau- Children Hospital and Beach Government ing from abroad,” she said. Elaborating the tionary measure to prevent transmission General Hospital. According to officials, screening process, Dr Archana said blood of infections. They have commenced dou- the blood bank at KGMCH can store 700 banks provide counselling to each poten- ble screening of donors and have stopped units of blood per day, including all com- tial donor. “Only those who are healthy collecting blood from people who had ponents of blood. The one at Kottaparam- and free from and successfully recently arrived from abroad and have ba can hold around 200 units. Dr A Lajini, complete the screening process are ap- a history of travel to foreign countries. medical officer and in-charge of the blood proved for donation,” said Dr Archana, The decision was taken on the basis of a bank at Kottaparamba hospital, said that adding that they have established a net- directive of the Kerala State Blood Trans- besides the routine screening authori- work of donors to ensure the regular sup- fusion Council to blood banks in the state ties are also checking the travel history ply of blood at KGMCH in the coming days. to ensure the transfusion of safe blood of donors to ensure that only safe blood Dr P P Pramod Kumar, district AIDS control following the novel coronavirus alert in is collected. “Those with a recent history officer, said a direction has been issued to the state. Blood banks in Kozhikode have of travel abroad are not being allowed to all blood-donor forums, groups and NGOs commenced special screening of donors. donate blood,” said Dr Lajini. Dr Archana that conduct blood donation camps to Those in the government sector, affiliated Rajan, district nodal officer of transfusion double-check the travel history of donors to the Kerala State AIDS Control Society, services, said we are doubling down on before referring them. in the district are at Kozhikode Govern- screening of all donors. “We have also di- ment Medical College Hospital (KGMCH), rected all the blood banks in the district to

5 blood line Every drop matters The regulatory framework must be re- formed to ensure access to safe and suf- ficient blood A ready supply of safe blood in sufficient quantities is a vital component of modern health care. In 2015-16, India was 1.1 mil- lion units short of its blood requirements. Here too, there were considerable regional disparities, with 81 districts in the country not having a blood bank at all. In 2016, a hospital in Chhattisgarh turned away a replacement donors, being under pres- regulating blood involves distinct consid- woman in dire need of blood as it was un- sure, may be less truthful about diseases. erations when compared to most com- available. She died on the way to the near- VDO.AI mercial drugs. It is especially incongruous est blood bank which was several hours given the existence of expert bodies such away. Yet, in April 2017, it was reported The regulatory framework which governs as the NBTC and National AIDS Control Or- that blood banks in India had in the last the blood transfusion infrastructure in In- ganisation (NACO), which are more natu- five years discarded a total of 2.8 million dia is scattered across different laws, poli- rally suited for this role. The DCGI does not units of expired, unused blood (more than cies, guidelines and authorities. Blood is include any experts in the field of blood 6 lakh litres). considered to be a ‘drug’ under the Drugs transfusion, and drug inspectors do not & Cosmetics Act, 1940. Therefore, just like undergo any special training for inspecting Vigil after collection any other manufacturer or storer of drugs, blood banks. To prevent transfusion-transmitted infec- blood banks need to be licensed by the tions (TTIs), collected blood needs to be Drug Controller-General of India (DCGI). In order to ensure the involvement of safe as well. Due to practical constraints, For this, they need to meet a series of technical experts who can complement tests are only conducted post-collection. requirements with respect to the collec- the DCGI, the rules should be amended to Thus blood donor selection relies on do- tion, storage, processing and distribution involve the NBTC and SBTCs in the licensing nors filling in health questionnaires truth- of blood, as specified under the Drugs & process. Given the wide range of responsi- fully. The collected blood is tested for cer- Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Blood banks are bilities the DCGI has to handle, its licensing tain TTIs such as HIV and if the blood tests inspected by drug inspectors who are ex- role with respect to blood banks can even positive, it has to be discarded. However, pected to check not only the premises and be delegated to the NBTC under the rules. these tests are not foolproof as there is equipment but also various quality and This would go a long way towards ensuring a window period after a person first be- medical aspects such as processing and that the regulatory scheme is up to date comes infected with a virus during which testing facilities. Their findings lead to the and accommodates medical and techno- the infection may not be detectable. This issuance, suspension or cancellation of a logical advances. makes it crucial to minimise the risk in licence. the first instance of collection. Collecting Despite a 2017 amendment to the rules healthy blood will also result in less blood In 1996, the Supreme Court directed the which enabled transfer of blood between being discarded later. government to establish the National blood banks, the overall system is still not Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) and sufficiently integrated. A collaborative reg- Blood that is donated voluntarily and with- State Blood Transfusion Councils (SBTCs). ulator can, more effectively, take the lead out remuneration is considered to be the The NBTC functions as the apex policy-for- in facilitating coordination, planning and safest. Unfortunately, professional donors mulating and expert body for blood trans- management. This may reduce the region- (who accept remuneration) and replace- fusion services and includes representa- al disparities in blood supply as well as en- ment donation (which is not voluntary) are tion from blood banks. However, it lacks sure that the quality of blood does not vary both common in India. In the case of pro- statutory backing (unlike the DCGI), and between private, corporate, international, fessional donors there is a higher chance as such, the standards and requirements hospital-based, non-governmental organ- of there being TTIs in their blood, as these recommended by it are only in the form of isations and government blood banks. donors may not provide full disclosure. guidelines. The aim of the National Blood Policy for- This gives rise to a peculiar situation — the mulated by the government back in 2002 In the case of replacement donation, rela- expert blood transfusion body can only is- was to “ensure easily accessible and ad- tives of patients in need of blood are asked sue non-binding guidelines, whereas the equate supply of safe and quality blood”. by hospitals to arrange for the same expe- general pharmaceutical regulator has the To achieve this goal, India should look to ditiously. This blood is not used for the pa- power to license blood banks. This regula- reforming its regulatory approach at the tient herself, but is intended as a replace- tory dissonance exacerbates the serious earliest. ment for the blood that is actually used. issues on the ground and results in poor In this way, hospitals shift the burden of coordination and monitoring. Kevin James and Shreya Shrivastava are maintaining their blood bank stock to the Research Fellows at the Vidhi Centre for patient and her family. Here again, there Towards a solution Legal Policy, could be a higher chance of TTI’s because The present scenario under the DCGI is far from desirable, especially given how Source : The Hindu News

blood line 6 Does donating blood make you weak?

Blood and blood products are unique and after the examination. the basic serological tests we also do a NAT precious resources because they cannot (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) which de- be manufactured and are obtainable only The popular misconception that a person tects a recently infected blood donor by from individuals who donate blood. Trans- becomes weak by donating blood is wrong. further reducing the window period. The fusion of blood and blood products helps On the contrary, there are several benefits donor is immediately informed if any of save millions of lives every year. It helps of blood donation. Recent research has these tests are found to be positive with a patients suffering from life-threatening demonstrated that repeated blood dona- free consultation with an expert. conditions live longer and with a higher tion is effective in reducing , quality of life. There is a constant need for blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein/ As per WHO, just 1% of the nation’s popu- regular blood supply because blood and its high-density lipoprotein ratio, heart at- lation is sufficient to meet its overall re- components can be stored for only a limit- tacks and strokes. Blood donation helps in quirements of safe blood transfusion. In ed time before use. This year, World Blood lowering the risk of cancers of throat, liver, such a scenario, there is a high importance Donor Day will once again be celebrated lungs, intestine, and stomach. Regularly of ‘World Blood Donor Day’ (14th June), around the world on 14 June. The event donating blood helps in weight loss and when nations make even more dedicated serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood burn fat up to 650 calories. Donating blood efforts to create awareness about the donors for their life-saving gifts of blood helps in stimulating the generation of new importance of voluntary blood donation. and also to raise awareness of the need for blood cells and so people feel re-energized So, let us take a pledge to be a voluntary, regular blood donation. The theme of this by giving blood on a regular basis. non-remunerated regular donor and make year’s campaign is “Safe blood for all”. a dynamic move in the road to achieving Apart from all these benefits, a donor gets 100% voluntary blood donation in our Blood is the most precious gift that anyone a mini blood test done before donating country through this selfless gesture. can give to another person, which is “the blood which includes Haemoglobin level gift of life”. The age at which people are test, blood grouping, , temperature, (With inputs from Dr. Abhinav Verma, Con- eligible to donate is between 18-65 years blood pressure and body weight. After the sultant, Transfusion Medicine, Max Hospi- old with a minimum of 45kg weight. How- blood is collected it is tested for 5 major tal, Vaishali) ever, a blood donor is accepted only if he diseases. These are-Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Source : Times of India Newspaper is found to be fit and healthy by the doctor C, HIV, Syphilis and Malaria. Apart from Helping nature is in his blood Man with rare phenotype flies to city to ous blood banks in Visakhapatnam, but donate to a patient they had expressed helplessness as they A man possessing an extremely rare blood had no supply of the Bombay blood group. phenotype called the Bombay blood group They then went to Life Share Blood Bank flew down to the city to donate his blood on Sampath Vinayak Temple Road. “San- to a woman with the same phenotype. geeta’s relatives were dejected to know Ganesh Lokhande (33) paid for his trip to that we too were not in a position to help the city out of his own pocket. His selfless them though they were ready to give their act won the hearts of the hospital staff, not own blood in exchange. I was touched by to mention the family of M. Sangeeta (38), their plight and made attempts to contact the patient. different donors and volunteer groups and this blood group in India. I made it a habit Mr. Lokhande is one of around 200 peo- finally zeroed in on Mr. Lokhande and he to donate blood regularly,” Mr. Lokhande ple in India to possess the Bombay blood readily agreed,” said Dr. D. Sumana, direc- said. group. The young businessman from Pune tor of Life Share Blood Bank. “I underwent bariatric surgery and could feels it is his responsibility to donate blood Mr. Lokhande, who has studied up to In- not donate blood for some time. This is whenever someone with the same pheno- termediate, runs a small business, supply- my first blood donation after the surgery. I type is in need. ing products required by various indus- had gone to Jharkhand, , Jaipur, He has donated blood 30 times so far, as tries in Pune. His father, who also has the Ahmedabad and other places on my own those with the rare phenotype would oth- same blood group, owns a welding shop. “I expense in the past to donate blood,” Mr. erwise be unable to get blood due to a learnt about my rare blood group when I Lokhande said. shortage of donors. went to donate blood in 2000. I learnt that Source:The Hindu Ms. Sangeeta’s relatives contacted vari- there were only around 200 persons with

7 blood line what is like to donate platelets ? tracted using a machine, and the remain- • • •A relatively small amount of blood is Platelet donation is a little different than ing blood components are returned to drawn from your arm and goes into a ma- a regular whole blood donation. Here’s you through the other arm. chine called a blood cell separator. how: • • •You will be able to provide in one • • •This blood is rapidly spun, which • • •Platelets can only be donated at se- platelet donation what would normally be forces the platelets to separate from the lect American Red Cross Donation Centers collected from up to five whole blood do- other blood components. and it requires an appointment. They can- nations. In fact, some platelet donations • • •These cells then go into a sterile, sin- not be given at a blood drive. yield enough platelets for two or three gle-use plastic bag. • • •Platelet donation uses a machine to patients. • • •Meanwhile, the rest of your blood – extract just your platelets and then re- • • •You may be able to donate platelets the plasma, red cells and white cells – is turns the rest of your blood back to you. up to 24 times a year compared to a maxi- returned to you. • • •From start to finish, it takes about mum of 6 times a year for a whole blood • • •single donation of platelets often three hours to donate platelets. donation. constitutes several transfusable platelet • • •Both arms are used during a platelet • • •Here’s a quick illustration of what units. donation. This is because blood is drawn happens during a platelet donation: from one arm then the platelets are ex-

Letters to the editor This is fantastic! Dear Baby,

Thank you for sharing this - we need Dear Madam, Thanks for sending the blood line journal to share more examples to help give All the best and keep it up regularly. The story of a 74 years old our associates ideas they can share Madanlal Bairwa from with customers- as well as engendering Colonel Simon P J Rajasthan, in the edition of 2019/53 PRIDE in Terumo for those of our team ...... is very inspiring. Hope people from all who are not directly in the market. walks of life follow his Warm regards, Thanks, Baby, for sharing the newsletter. altruistic example and be the life saver Congrats. by donating blood regularly and volun- Antoinette tarily. It does not matter President & CEO Warm Regards, whether we are rich or poor, but we TERUMO BCT have a natural free gift given by God to ...... P T George us i.e. the blood in our We are so proud of you and the work Vice President | HR & Admin. body, to donate voluntarily. Wishing that you are doing for patients and V-Guard Industries Ltd. Madanlal Bairwa all God's blessing. donors :) ...... Dr. Hughbert Dkhar Best regards Laboratory Director and Incharge Blood Kasia Hein Peters Dear sir/Madam, Bank, Nazareth Hospital VP (Value and Health comes) Greetings of the day ! Shillong, Meghalaya. US Strat Med (Affair) ...... TERUMO BCT ...... Thank you for sharing News letter with With reference to above we are very Could not agree more – you are doing motivational articles and activities. pleased to receive a copy journal. Blood great work, Baby, and are a terrific The sentences '..... Transfusion therapy Line the voluntary blood journal. we are brand ambassador for Terumo BCT! is a double edged sword .....' is very truly interested in having copies of old issues and important. and the article 'Rajast- above journal.We are also interested in Thank you, han man who donated blood 130 times subscribing for above journal. is hale & hearty' is a good for motivate Rebecca Sarconi to other donors. We request you to kindly send hard cop- Sr.Global Internal Communications I will send an article for next issue. ies to our IMA BLOOD BANK RAICHUR. Associate and Community Coordinator Thanks once again. Kindly do the need full, TERUMO BCT ...... With best regards, Thanking you, Interesting and informative newsletter. Machakaji Maharjan *************** Central Treasurer Dr.M.B.Patel Assoc Prof Graeme Woodfield Blood Donors Association Nepal Medical Officer University of Auckland (BLODAN) IMA Blood Bank Raichur. New Zealand Disclaimer : The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Blood Line Journal ( BLJ) or its Editors. Information contained in our published works have been obtained by BLJ from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither BLJ nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither BLJ nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in BLJ publications. No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher or Editors for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, product, instructions, or ideas contained in the published material. No sug- gested test or procedure should be carried out unless, in the reader’s judgment, its risk is justified. Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, we recommend that the independent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made. Information in this publication is current as of the date of the printing. All rights reserved. No part of any BLJ published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. The Voluntary Blood Donation Journal • Editor: Baby P S, PRO, Terumo Penpol Private Limited, I-2 Jawahar Nagar, Kowdiar P O Designed & Printed at: Thiruvananthapuram - 695 003 Kerala, India. CIN U33112KL1985PTC004531 Web: www.terumopenpol.com Tel Office: +91-471-3015-602 Trivandrum Mob : 9388022400 Fax : +91-471-2721-519 Email: [email protected] Ph: +91 9562230001 blood line 8