CHENNAI: With over 75,000 units of blood collected from 80,000 volunteers, the Marumalarchi Blood Donors Association has moved closer, over a year, to its aim of gathering at least one lakh voluntary blood donors.

At a function, organised to mark the first anniversary of the association, its president Vaiko said the organisation dedicated itself to providing blood to all persons requiring it, without caste, political or religious barriers.

It was established with the humane ideal of alleviating the suffering of patients.

Ready reckoner

An elaborate blood registry, containing the names, addresses and blood groups of donors, had been drawn up.

It would serve as a ready reckoner whenever the association received requests for blood.

A separate registry for all rare groups was being maintained and updated constantly, he said.

The association would also host the registries online, so that hospitals and the public could contact the appropriate contact persons on time.

Social movement

Commending the achievement of the MBDA, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , said an astonishing social movement, one that was disciplined, transparent and efficient, had been born out of the initiative of a political leader.

It was over the last 20-25 years that India had realised the importance of voluntary blood donation.

Though 30 years ago, patients were forced to buy blood in unsafe conditions, today professional blood donation had nearly been eliminated in most States, with Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra at the forefront of the voluntary blood donor movement. "When it is needed, blood should be available free of cost," Mr. Ram said.

People would be happy to pay the modest processing charges.

Efficient use

He said blood could be used more efficiently when it was broken down into components, but this required a lot of infrastructure and investment in processing equipment.

However, if that could be done, the 75,000 units of blood donated by the MBDA so far would go a long way in contributing to social good and the needs of the people, Mr. Ram said.

Easy availability

Doctors in various specialities stressed the importance of easy availability of blood and commended the MBDA for mustering support from a vast group of people for voluntary donation.

Felicitated

S. Thanikachalam, senior cardiologist of Sri Ramachandra Medical College, distributed certificates to members of the MDBA and the district secretaries of the party responsible for mobilising the voluntary donors.

L. Ganesan and Gingi N. Ramachandran, Members of Parliament, M. Kannappan, former Union Minister, and director Cheran felicitated Mr. Vaiko and the MBDA volunteers.

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