He donated blood for the 100th time in his life on last Thursday to save a person who was struggling for life at the SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Kumar Mallick Annada Prasad (52) of Kadalibana village under Pattamundai block has already saved more than 100 persons by donating blood. He has played a Good Samaritan for the needy ones in the coastal district.
On October 27 last, Prasad gave blood, which is O positive to Ranjan Kumar Mallick, a resident of Mandapada village. Ranjan having an abdomen tumour is undergoing treatment at the SCB.
“I have started donating blood since 1987 when I met a hapless and helpless mother who was desperately crying and urged several persons for blood to her sick daughter in Kendrapada. But many flatly refused. After seeing the hapless condition of the woman, I agreed to donate blood. I mortgaged my cycle for `300 and rushed to the Blood Bank at the SCB to collect blood in exchange of my blood. At that time, the District Headquarters Hospital at Kendrapada did not have a blood bank,” said Prasad.
“Since that day, I have never looked back. My little gesture has managed to save persons from sure death,” said the bearded man.
According to Santosh Kumar Bhoi of Nilakanthapur village, he sustained multiple injuries in a road mishap about eight years ago. At that time his family members immediately rushed to the blood donor’s house and approached Prasad to save his life. And, immediately, he agreed.
“When I donated blood frequently, my family members fretted thinking that I would go weak and sick. But now they support me when they came to know from the doctors that I will never become weak,” said Prasad beaming with a smile.
Prasad gives blood to two thalassemia patients regularly. He has given blood thrice to one Mandakini Mallick of Chandiagadi, a thalassemia patient. Similarly, he too gave blood to another thalassemia patient of his neighbouring village Parsu Swain.
“The reward, I get from the patients by donating blood is they develop relationship with me for life long. They have tied me in the relation of brother, uncle and son,” he said.