Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 14
Altogether, 65 persons including students and Assam Rifles jawans have donated their blood during World Blood Donor Day here at Motivation Hall, Assam Rifles. It was organized by Voluntary Blood Donors Association Kohima (VBDAK) in collaboration with HQ IGAR (North) under the theme ‘Blood connects us all, share life, give blood.’
3rd Assam Rifles commandant Col. Jagdeep Bhogal (SM) informed that about 108 million blood donations are collected globally every year, where nearly 50% of these blood donations are collected in rich and developed countries. He said that Assam Rifle soldiers were aware of preciousness of blood specifically right from the battle of Kohima on the importance of blood and life which connects the people, adding that 100 million units of blood donated every year to save life in the world. Col Bhogal called upon the participants and the jawans to donate their blood in the service of mankind, thereby gifting the greatest gift to mankind.
VBDAK president Kholie Dolf said that in spite of the rapid and remarkable advancement in medical science today, there is no factory that manufacture blood or no substitute for human blood. He asserted that voluntary donation is the only way of accumulating blood at safe storage to meet emergency requirements for saving lives. While stating that donating blood is the greatest gift one can do for the mankind, Dolf said, “Voluntary blood donors are saviors of mankind.” Clearing the misconceptions on donating blood, Dolf said blood donors are 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack and 33% less likely to suffer any type of cardiovascular diseases. By donating blood, he said it helps in removing 225 to 250 milligrams of iron from the body, thus cutting the risk of heart diseases.
Transfusions of blood, he said, help save lives including during emergencies such as accidents, surgeries, childbirth etc. besides, it help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions like cancer, severe anemia etc live longer and with higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. With blood shortage occurring worldwide, Dolf has stressed on the need to create awareness and have a network of young blood donors who commit to donating regularly.
Dr. Captain. Münülu Hesuh stated that World Blood Donor Day was celebrated every year on June 14 commemorating the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the blood of ABO. She also said that blood is the main base of every human life and there is no life without blood which makes its value priceless. Vote of thanks was proposed by Ainato Yeptho, assistant director NSACS.
