Thirty one volunteers donated blood at the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day held at Kohima Science College (KSC) on the theme, “Atleast donate once in a lifetime” on Tuesday.
The camp was organized by Nagaland State Blood Transfusion Council, Naga Hospital Kohima, National Service Scheme (NSS), Kohima Science College (KSC), Voluntary Blood Donors Association and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society.
KSC principal, Dr. Lily stated that there was no substitute for blood not it can be manufactured or be replaced but the only way to receive was through donation. She therefore urged the students to donate their blood and to make a difference in the lives of others.
Speaking on the topics, “benefits of blood donation”, Dr. Avila Sangtam, Blood Bank (NHAK) said donating blood can reveal potential health problems, reduce harmful iron stores in the body, lower the risk of suffering a heart attack, keep the liver healthy and give mental sense of satisfaction.
She informed that patients with sickle cell disease, haemophilia or cancer need blood transfusion throughout their treatment and a single car accident victim can even require upto 100 units of blood.
She stated that since blood cannot be manufactured, these patients depended on blood donors for their lives and therefore urged upon the gathering to donate for the noble cause.
Kekuoneinuo Nyekha, a voluntary blood donor, who donated blood for the thirteenth time this year, shared on her experiences while donating blood. She encouraged the students to donate their “young blood” by visiting hospitals or blood camps to save lives.
It may be mentioned that the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is celebrated every year in India since 1975.