Dubai
Thalassemia patients and road accident victims require regular blood transfusions, as often as every two weeks. I visited the thalassemia unit at a hospital, where I was saddened to see children as young as two years getting ready for their blood transfusions. This made me determined to stay committed to the cause of organising blood donation drives.
In February, I organised ‘Somebody Needs You’, a blood donation drive, which was a huge success. Around 45 donors, people from all walks of life, participated. This year, on November 17, the second round of my blood drive took place and was an even bigger success. We reached our target of 50 donors.
From 9am, people kept turning up and every donor went home with a bamboo plant, to express my appreciation for their support.
Shalini Rajan, a Sharjah resident, was one of them.
She said: “It had been years since I donated blood, and I applaud the initiative for giving people like me the opportunity to help somebody in need.”
Nawaz Ramtoola, another participant who is based in Dubai, said: “It was a great feeling knowing that this is for a good cause and can save lives.”
After each person donated blood, all I heard was “thank you”, leaving me feeling immensely proud. Fifteen minutes is what it takes to save three lives; all I asked for was some of your time.
— The reader is a student based in Dubai.
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