Bharat Sharma of Ramnagar Jwalapur was all smiles with pride after having donated blood for the first time in his life of 22 years. He motivated many others to pledge for eye donation and donating blood at the voluntary blood donation camp on Sunday. Blood bank of Haridwar in conjunction with social worker couple Neha and Neeraj Mallik had organised a day long blood donation camp at an Ashram in Kankhal on Sunday. Sixty-one units of blood were collected by the end of the day, claimed the organisers.
Speaking to The Pioneer Neha Mallik said, “As part of our awareness fortnight on eye donation drive which started on August 25 , a day long blood donation camp has been organised. The pamphlets which we are distributing as part of awareness drive help remove many myths from the minds of people regarding blood and organ donation.” Neeraj Mallik said, “The people who come here for donating blood are also being told by the team of doctors about the directives to be followed by the kin of the deceased like switching off the fan and use of air conditioner in the house if available.” He also said that in case of deceased who had pledged to donate their eyes, moist cotton with ice should be placed on the eyes of the deceased. The head of the body should be in a raised position with a pillow below.
Saurabh Arora, a shopkeeper of Har Ki Pauri, pledged for donating his eyes after death by filling the registration form.
The public relation officer of blood bank, Gaurav Singh Rawat told the Pioneer that the information about the camp was disseminated through social media and advertisements in local paper. “We got a tremendous response from the people. It is a matter of relief and joy that people are understanding the importance of donating blood while living and organs after death”, added Rawat.
A team of doctors Dr Anurag Kaur and Manveer Kaur streamlined the blood donation activity with the help of the technicians, Manoj Messey and Kevin George.