Life Donors

On the occasion of the World Blood Donor Day, at a function organized at the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Sunday, state health minister, Jaynarayan Vyas announced allotting of land or premises within 60 days to the Ahmedabad Red Cross Society (ARCS) to facilitate construction of a state-of-the-art blood transfusion centre in the city. ARCS is investing around Rs10 crore for this facility which is expected to be completed by 2012, on the golden jubilee of the Ahmedabad Red Cross Blood Programme.

The new facility will accommodate more in-house blood donors and will also have a research facility for new inventions and better performance for blood transfusion that can help thalassaemia and hemophilia patients along with others.  

Life, drop by drop
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"Our current in-house blood collection facility can accommodate only three to four people at a time, but with the commencement of this new centre we target to accommodate around three times more the number of blood donors at a time within the premises," said Mukesh Patel, president of ARCS.

However, land has been a major component for setting up the new facility and the ARCS had therefore approached the state health minister, Jaynarayan Vyas, asking him to look into the issue keeping in mind the welfare of the citizens, said Patel.

Currently, ARCS is able to store 300-400 units of blood which will get doubled, close to 900 units, once the new facility starts functioning. The ARCS is also planning to set up a state-of-the-art research centre within the new premises which will focus on latest inventions along with a motivation centre, which will encourage youths to donate blood.

Minister Vyas said that the department will soon finalise on the plot of land or property that will be offered to ARCS, announcement of which was made by him on Sunday. This centre will not only help the needy but will be available at the time of natural calamities," he said. While addressing the media, Vyas also emphasised the government's positive attitude towards issues relating to health and medical education issues of the state. In this regard, he said that plans are afoot to increase facilities at the Civil Hospital at Asarva from the current 2020 beds to more than 4,000.

Vyas also said that they have already added 500 seats this in medical college and are planning to maximize it to 4,000 seats in the near future. Plans are in the pipeline to double medical seats for PG courses by next year, he said. AMC standing committee chairman, Asit Vora, director of GCRI, Pankaj Shah were among the many dignitaries who were present on the occasion. 

On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day, the Ahmedabad Red Cross Society (ARCS) has felicitated 10 thalassaemia youths who have proved themselves as role models to many by achieving success in their educational and professional careers. ARCS felicitated each with Rs5,000 cash reward besides a certificate and trophy. DNA talked to three such winners who shared their thoughts, courage and success stories. 
Keeping thalassaemia in mind, Upasana Trivedi is writing a play with tentative title 'Story of a thalassaemic'." She has acted in plays like 'Gujarat no Nath'  along with other commercial plays as well as in television serials. On asking what her motto for live is, Upasana said, "I want to live a simple and work for the welfare of thalassaemics." And while talking about marriage, she divulged that she has none at present but will not mind if she finds someone suitable, with smile on her face. 

Meera Naik, 25, believes in living life to the fullest. Having received around 700 units of blood till date, Meera has not let this aspect cow her down but has completed her MA this year and is awaiting her results. "Right now I am hunting for a job which I am hopeful of getting soon," she said. Talking about her experience being a thalassaemic, she said, "I don't pity myself for what I am. I am 'bindas' and want to be like this throughout my life." Meera, whose father is a civil engineer and mother is a housewife, also had a younger brother who was a thalassaemia major and had died at the age of 14. However, the other younger brother of Meera, who is now 12, is normal.