I want to share with you all something that I witnessed and I don’t know whether I should be rejoicing or be sad!
True story about blood donation
Well! Let me start by telling you about the day I went to the hospital to collect my reports. I saw some people arguing (seemed husband, wife and their son), to not donate blood. I was confused that maybe someone has told them to be a replacement donor and they don’t want to help or whatsoever. But! Then I realised that there was a voluntary blood donation camp going on and these people were close family members of the organizer. I decided to follow them to the camp. I realised that they have come for the photographs with the influential people who were called to encourage the donors but were not interested in donation. They were openly telling that one should not donate blood, will fall sick etc. I don’t know why but their faces just stuck to my mind.
Then I saw the flex boards of the organisation for blood donation. I thought of donating the blood. Then on routine questioning, on knowing that I got a tattoo 5 months back, I was denied as per protocol. I was told by the staff that this organisation will organise next camp in 4 months at the same venue. I thought maybe I can donate at that time and exchanged my number with one of the organizer and asked him to call me for the camp and left.
From Hesitation to Heroism
I moved on with my life and totally forgot about the incident. Then one fine day, I got a call and was invited to donate blood by the same organizer. I was happy that he remembered and reminded me timely so I went to the venue and started filling the form.
Then I saw some people who looked familiar. I could not remember who they were but they were donating blood before me and were encouraging and appreciating donors. I didn’t think much and went on to donate blood as next turn was mine. Then I suddenly remembered that they are the same people who were so much against the donation. What changed?
Well! It was definitely good to see but you know, curiosity!
The Change of Heart: Ripple effect of stranger’s kindness
I donated blood and while having refreshment, just started a small talk with the family. Asking from where they are, how many times have they donated earlier, etc. They told its first time ever they are donating and feeling very good. I said wow and told them it’s really nice how they are appreciated other donors, must be very nice people to do this. Then something shifted! The lady said that she was always against the donation. But 3 months ago, her very close relative got sick and was in need of blood. She was out of state and was stuck due to bad weather. They were not getting help from anywhere until one voluntary blood donor showed up and donated for their patient. It saved his life!
She said something changed in her forever. If an unknown person can save her family member’s life, why can’t she do something to save others lives? After all, no money is involved.
Well! All I could think is that what an incredible story! Isn’t it? It’s a true story and so moving that even I am motivated.
Theme of World blood donor day 2026
Well! World blood donor day is celebrated worldwide on June 14 to thank donors and raise awareness.
This year’s theme is ‘Normalising voluntary blood donation’. It truly resonates with what I witnessed and lived. The day it becomes normalised and everyone just starts showing up by themselves in blood banks, no one will die of lack of blood.
World records of voluntary blood donation: Overflowing Reverence
Have you ever seen any place where blood banks are saying we can’t take any more blood. We are full of capacity and not just to one or two but hundreds of people who are requesting again and again to take their blood? Well! I thought of researching about it and got an idea that if any such thing has ever happened, there must be some documentation like world record and guess what I found?
43,732 Units were donated voluntarily in the month of august in 2010 in a single day! Yes, on 8th of august to be specific. It led on to become Guinness book of world record! It happened in India in the state of Haryana. The place is Dera Sacha Sauda located in Sirsa. Mind blown! Right?
This was not first, but this organisation’s third Guinness world record breaking its previous two records of 15,432 units and 17,921 units in the year 2003 and 2004 respectively.
The organisation Dera Sacha Sauda also holds records in Limca book of records, Asia book of records and India book of records for the massive blood donation drives.
Conclusion
You know what they say? ‘What goes around, comes around’ So? What are you waiting for? Don’t you want to be in the list of people who save lives?
