THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:“More people should come forward for voluntary blood donation which is an act of compassion. Every drop of blood can save a life,” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while launching the Blood Mobile Bus as part of the World Blood Donor Day celebrations organised by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS). It is good that the number of voluntary blood donors is increasing. There is no need to be apprehensive or have any misconception about blood donation, he said .
Vision 2020 launched
District Collector K Vasuki launched the logo of ‘Vision 2020’, an ambitious project which aims at making the city self sufficient in blood requirements thereby kickstarting the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) celebrations in the city. The WBDD observance was jointly organised by Technopark-based blood donation forum Tejus, Terumo Penpol and All-Kerala State Blood Donors Society (KEBS). Technopark played host to the mega event.
The event also recognised schools, corporate houses, NGOs and other social organisations involved in blood donation. The inauguration was followed by a panel discussion moderated by G Vijayaraghavan, founder CEO Technopark. Terumo Penpol CMD C Padmakumar gave the presidential address. National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) director Dr Shobhini Rajan and KEBS chairperson Lida Jacob were present.
The panel discussions delved on the way forward to achieve 100 percent voluntary blood donation and recognition of repeat regular blood donors. The sessions explored the different aspects of voluntary blood donation and how to push for a combined effort in stemming the crisis of non-availability of blood. The event also saw the launch of the app ‘BloodLink’, an app dedicated for the facilitation of blood donation. The app was developed by Gemini Software Solutions.The event also saw District Collector K Vasuki and Technopark CEO Hrishikesh Nair donate blood.