Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01 2010:
"We are gradually overcoming the past misbelieves associated with blood donation, everyone should come out and donate blood", said Pradeep Kumar Jha, Project Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) attending the blood donation camp held at the DM College of Arts on the occasion of the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day today.
The trend of voluntary blood donation has been increasing among college going youths which is an encouraging indicator of voluntarism and awareness, he added.
The camp was organized by the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors' (AVBD), Manipur in collaboration with MACS.
Speaking at the occasion Dr L Tomcha Khuman, president, AVBD, Manipur, said that voluntary blood is the safest blood however lack of donor organizations in the State is one of the factors behind lesser number of voluntary blood donors.
Presently, only 10 percent of the required blood comes from voluntary blood donors and the rest from family and relatives of patients who need blood.
AVBD is the first donor organization in Manipur and since its inception in June 2010, it has been able to organize three blood donation camps including today's camp.
The State Red Cross Society in collaboration with MACS also organized another voluntary blood donation camp at RIMS, Imphal.
Encouraging voluntary blood donation ten donors were chosen through lottery and presented a music system each.
The prizes were distributed by Dr Y Mohen, Superintendent, RIMS and Dr M Lala, General Secretary, State Red Cross Society.
While 160 volunteers donated blood at RIMS 158 volunteers donated blood at DM College of Arts, Imphal.