The fine art of creating blood donors at home; and resources for those in Chennai seeking to donate blood
A leitmotif among blood donation organisations is the increasing difficulty in finding people with “generous veins”; and the solution could strangely be found in the living rooms of households, as illustrated by these two accounts from Chennai of parents inspiring their children to join the cause
In a recent interview, Shaikh Shamsudeen, a 29-year old resident of George Town, shared his dedication to being a blood donor, a practice that has been passed down to him from his father, Shaikh Sadaqathullah. Shamsudeen, who belongs to a rare blood group, AB Negative, has donated blood 22 times. He explained that unlike many other donors who donate every three to four months, he donates only when there is an emergency need for AB Negative blood.
Shamsudeen is registered with Madras Voluntary Blood Bureau (MVBB), based in Gopalapuram and run by TTK Group. He stresses the importance of being registered with a blood donation organization, as they provide timely reminders and make urgent call-ups when needed.
Sadaqathullah, who is 56 years old, has donated blood 53 times. However, due to health concerns, he has stopped donating. He joined MVBB in 1993, when he was first called upon to donate blood at Perambur Railway Hospital. Sadaqathullah points out that AB Negative blood is rare, making up only 2% of the global population. Despite not being able to donate at blood donation camps, he always steps in for emergency situations.
The father-son duo’s shared commitment to blood donation is a testament to its significance and impact. Their story serves as an inspiration for others, especially those aiming to increase the numbers of blood donors. Family conversations about blood donation journeys can spark interest and encourage others to join the noble cause.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
