| Blood donation is unique. It is an act when we
share one’s own life while we are still alive.
That is the crux of the philosophy and nobility
of the blood donation activity. As of date there
is no substitute for human blood. It is a supreme
art of giving life to another.
Keeping this in mind the Lions Blood Bank &
Research Foundation came into existence in 1984.
With a humble beginning of just collection of
about 1200 units per year, today it has grown
in strength to around 25,000 units per year due
to untiring, persevering and zealous approach
of many philanthropists of Chennai city and also
due to the continuous efforts of the most dedicated
employees.
To ensure strict quality of blood before issue,
the following tests are conducted as a routine
for all blood donor samples:
1. HIV 1 & 2 antibodies
2. Hepatitis B
3. Hepatitis C
4. Anti-HBc
5. Syphilis
6. Malaria
7. Micro Filaria
Besides the mandatory tests, additional test such
as Anti-HBc is also introduced from January 2005.
By doing this additional test, it is unlikely that
any donor with asymptomatic acute or chronic infection
or previous exposure would be missed.
Further, over a period of time the blood bank
has realized the necessity of maintaining a list
of blood donors arranged blood group wise that
are readily available in case of emergent necessity.
Today we have around 55,000 donors registered
with us and this has considerably brought down
the number of professional blood donors floating
around.
Over the years the technology has changed in
the field of transfusion medicine. One unit of
blood collected can be converted in various components
such as Fresh Frozen Plasma, Packed Red Blood
Cells, Platelet Concentrates etc. Consequently
this places a demand for new infrastructure and
other supporting facilities.
The blood bank has purchased a Blood Mobile Bus
to facilitate spot collection of blood at public
places, offices, factories etc. We have been experiencing
a lot of difficulties to mobilize blood donors
at the blood bank. Many donors expressed their
inability to come and donate when we call them
as they are at work or they are located at a distant
place. If we have a vehicle equipped with blood
collection facilities, we would be in a better
position to go to the donor’s place and collect
blood. By this we are going to collect the required
blood without causing any difficulty to the donor
and at the same time we are able to help a needy
patient by providing the required blood without
any delay.
We are conducting blood donation camps outside
the blood bank from where we are able to collect
different groups of blood, bring them to our blood
bank and process them. We are forced to close
the camp within a stipulated time gap due to technical
reasons i.e. the collected blood should be processed
within 6 hrs. This procedure assures increase
in stock of blood but it does not assure collection
of a required blood group on emergencies.
By contacting a particular group donor over phone
and going to his/her place and collecting the
blood will ensure collection of the required blood
on the spot and issue the same to the needy patient
without much delay.
Lions Blood Bank appeals to the kind hearted
philanthropists and corporate bodies to generously
contribute their mite to this project and become
a Partner of this Life Saving Program while they
also enjoy Income Tax exemption under Sec 80G
/ 35AC of Indian Income Tax Act.
|
