RMLCF blood donation drive draws 33 voluntary donors in Kohima

Kohima, September 13 (MExN): The Rev Moa Longchari Cancer Foundation (RMLCF) conducted Phase 2 of its blood donation drive at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) Blood Bank on September 12, with 33 voluntary donors coming forward to help strengthen the blood supply for patients in need.

The 33 donations comprised nine A positive, seven B positive, 13 O positive and four AB positive donors. The drive was organised in response to the continuing need for readily available blood in hospitals.

Nagaland requires approximately 20,000 units of blood annually, sources said.

Regular voluntary blood donation is important as dependence on donors only during emergencies can lead to delays when patients require blood urgently, the sources said.

For the RMLCF, the initiative is particularly significant given its continued work with cancer patients. Cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy can cause anaemia and reduce blood-cell or platelet counts, meaning some patients may require repeated red blood cell or platelet transfusions during the course of their treatment.

Having blood readily available can be an essential part of timely and uninterrupted care, the foundation said.

Through its annual blood donation drive, the RMLCF aims to encourage a stronger culture of regular voluntary blood donation, where people donate not only when someone they know faces an emergency but also to ensure that blood is available when a patient needs it.