This donor mobilises thousands to donate blood

For the last 43 years, PAKP Rajasekaran, a businessman from Royapuram, has been practising a ritual that he hasn’t missed till date — he donates blood four times a year. However, he hasn’t stopped with just being a donor, for he has also motivated youngsters in his area to donate blood and organised donation camps. 

On Friday, on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Rajasekaran called for more volunteers to come forward to donate blood. The hospital has recently received the Award of Excellence from the National Aids Control Organisation for voluntary blood donation. 

Rajasekaran was felicitated at the event and made his 188th blood donation at the hospital’s blood bank Talking to DTNext , he said that having been a recipient himself, he understood the huge difference that blood donation made to people’s lives. 

“In late 1972, I had suffered head injuries and a fracture following a road accident in Chennai. After undergoing treatment for a few months when I was discharged from GH, I resolved to be a blood donor. Since 1973, I have been donating blood four times a year — January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 2.” 

Each time, he donates blood, he ensures that he takes volunteers along with him. So far, he has mobilised close to 40,000 volunteers through camps in and around Royapuram. He said, “There are so many in need of blood. From road accidents to surgeries to health conditions like anaemia, there are so many people in need of it. Once we donate blood, it is separated into red cells, plasma and platelets and used accordingly. 

So, these 40,000, even if they donate once a year, can save 1,60,000 lives.” A hospital like RGGGH needs more than 200 donors every day and Rajasekaran provides the doctors with contacts of active blood donors to help them meet their requirements. 

Addressing the fears and doubts regarding blood donation among people, Rajasekaran, said donors had a number of advantages. “Studies show that those who donate blood frequently have a reduced risk of heart attack. Donation helps replenish our blood cells effectively and this boosts our immune system. Each time, a donor is screened on all parameters, like weight, history of diseases, blood pressure, haemoglobin count, etc. Donating about 300 ml of blood doesn’t affect us adversely in any way,” he said.