Rakta Kranti Across Karnataka

 

'This was a terrible summer for Karnataka. Not  Only did the summer temperatures soar higher than ever before, there was a severe shortage of blood across the state. Sankalp's Rakta Kranti team tried to pull in as many blood donation drives as possible to address this need 13 Sankalp blood donation drives were held in (Bangalore, Mysore, Dharwad, Belgaum in the month of May leading to a collection of more than 2000 units of blood. here, is a snapshot of these drives.

 

Blood Donation Drives @ Bangalore

A total of 9 blood donation drives were conducted at I Bangalore. While the blood donation drives @ ITPL (thanks to Applied Materials and Ascendas). Deutsche Bank and Jawaharlal Nehru For Advanced Scientific Research were held as part of the normal annual routine leading to a joint collection of 764 units of blood. The massive support that these organizations are extending to the noble cause of blood donation cannot be described in words.

6 other drives were held in organizations for the first time!. Huge turnouts of about 25% in Schneider Electric and 40% in Videocon was seen thanks to some very good publicity measures. A turnout of 500+ donors was witnessed in Wipro and 125 donors in WNS gave further hope and belief that first time drives too can be massively successful should sincere efforts be made in the direction to bring in motivated a n d educated donors. The blood donation drive at Tata Capital Ltd also saw a decent turnout of about 60 donors donating blood.

People from all walks of life can be encouraged and motivated to donate. That is what the employees of Tel Hotel Whitefield proved during their first blood donation drive. 54 life savers came forward to do their bit to ease pain and suffering of patients. Rastarothana Blood Bank. Bowhng Blood Bank. IGI Blood Bank. NIMHANS Blood Bank. RLJalappa Blood Bank -Kolar participated in these drives in Bangalore.

Blood Donation Drive @ Jain College Of Engineering, Belgaum

The first of the blood donation drives outside Bangalore in the month of May was held at Jain College Of Engineering, Belgaum. A highly motivated set of volunteers were trained to for the Team Red in the institution. These volunteers backed by their teachers ran a good campaign in the college to educate their fellow students. Informative and inspirational posters, messages. brochures etc were used. A total of close to 100 students rushed in for donation throughout the drive held on 4 May 2012. In total 84 units of blood were collected by KLE blood bank. The enthusiasm, cheer and spirit shown by the donors is testimony to the fact that blood donation drives in the future here is a sure event.

Blood Donation Drives @ Mysore

Most blood donation drives by Sankalp India Foundation outside Bangalore usually happened in colleges. Since college students are on vacation or are busy with examinations, the team hooked up with companies. In Mysore. 2 companies Excel Soft technologies and Wipro gave their go ahead for drives. Both these drives were the first blood donation

drives in their locations.

The drive @ ExcelSoft Technologies on 12th May 2012 saw a huge response with about 100 people turning up for donation in a company of about 450-500 employees. This response was thanks to efforts by the management and volunteers to push in a full fledged publicity and motivational program. In total 80 units of blood were collected by JSS Blood Bank in a quality focused blood donation drive. Most donors expressed happiness in this initiative in their organization. The management too was keen on a continuous process of blood donation drives at regular intervals.

The Wipro Mysore facility took the cue from their bangalore counterparts to organize a blood donation drive in their campus on 22nd may 2012. Here too enthusiastic donors turned out in large numbers and were keen to get their chance. More than 150 donors turned up (out of the 800-900 employees) and 139 units of blood were collected: 94 by JSS Blood Bank and 45 by Rotary Blood Bank. Mysore.

Blood Donation Drive @ Tata Motors, Dharwad

  One of the most significant blood donation drives in the month of May was held at Tata Motors production facility in Dhanvad.

The organization has a total strength of close to 300 employees working there. Led by their medical officer. Dr Gajanan. the team of volunteers ensured that every employee wds reached thruuyti posters. mailers etc. Funhermore. a sankalp volunteer also visited their production facility and spoke to the employees there to motivate them and answer their numerous questions.

After this strong campaign the blood donation drive that followed was a grand success. More than 130

people turned up (A response of more than 40%). A total of 120 donors donated blood with 23 units being collected by Civil hospital Blood Bank. Dhanvad. 32 units being collected by SUM Dhanvad. and 65 units being collected by Cancer Hospital. Hubli.

Sankalp India Foundation sincerely thanks all these organizations for standing up to fight blood shortage in the toughest of periods. Their act of will and purpose has helped countless patients across Karnataka.

DID YOU KNOW

If a person called you saying that they need a donor for White Blood Cells will you believe them? Our general understanding is that WBCs are specific to one's immune system and so they are never useful to somebody else. Here is an interesting fact for you.

White blood cells are protective cells in the blood that fight infection. These cells can exit the bloodstream through the vessel walls and defend against invading properties at the site of an infection. White blood cells are transfused to patients who have life-threatening infections or have a greatly reduced white blood cell count. Donation of white blood cells is done through a process called "apheresis." Apheresis allows for the collection of specific components of blood. including white blood cells.

Why Don't You Organise A High Quality Drive In Your Organisation /Institution?

It is time for you to make up your mind to come forward and organise a blood donation drive. Rakta Kranti team will happily co-ordinate with you to rope in publicity materials and create a good awareness among you're blood donors and also rope in a good and safe blood bank from your locality. Call us at 9880132850 or drop a mail to sankalp.admin@gmail.com with a subject line saying Request To Organise a Blood Donation Drive and we should be ready to help you get started!. Your zeal, effort and enthusiasm will help some unknown patient somewhere.

Come let us join together To Give Life Another Chance