Sri Vijaya Puram, June 15: On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day 2026, the A & N AIDS Control Society organized blood donation camps in coordination with the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Dollygunj, and INHS Dhanvantari, in association with the Blood Bank, G. B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, to promote voluntary blood donation and raise awareness about the importance of safe blood. The camp at ITI, Dollygunj was held on 12th June 2026 at the Multipurpose Hall. Several students, staff members, and voluntary donors came forward to donate blood, contributing to this noble cause and marking the significance of World Blood Donor Day 2026.
The programme was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr. H. M. Siddaraju, Director of Health Services, A & N Administration, in the presence of Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, A & N AIDS Control Society and Director, SBTC; Shri Venketesh, Principal, ITI; and Dr. Malvika Mahato, Medical Officer and Officer In-Charge, Blood Bank.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. H. M. Siddaraju highlighted the importance of voluntary blood donation and emphasized that the need for safe blood remains constant and critical, particularly during surgeries, accidents, and other medical emergencies. He appreciated all voluntary blood donors for their selfless contribution towards saving lives. He further noted that blood cannot be manufactured artificially and can only be obtained through voluntary donations, urging people to donate blood regularly and support this humanitarian cause.
Dr. Subrata Saha expressed heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries and voluntary blood donors for their invaluable support. Highlighting this year’s World Blood Donor Day theme, “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.”, he emphasized that a single unit of donated blood has the potential to save three to four lives, underscoring the critical role of voluntary blood donation in strengthening healthcare services and saving precious lives.
Dr. Saha further explained that World Blood Donor Day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004 to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products. He also noted that 14th June is observed as World Blood Donor Day in honour of Karl Landsteiner, whose discovery of the ABO blood group system revolutionized transfusion medicine and laid the foundation for safe blood transfusion practices worldwide.
As part of the World Blood Donor Day observance, another blood donation camp was organized on 13th June 2026 at INHS Dhanvantari, where 85 units of blood were collected from voluntary donors, demonstrating the strong commitment of the community and defence personnel towards this life-saving cause. The camp was organized under the guidance of Dr. Anish Sharma, Lt. Col., Head of the Department of Pathology, INHS Dhanvantari, who made the necessary arrangements for its successful conduct.
The blood donation activities were facilitated by Dr. Divya, Junior Resident, Blood Bank, who screened donors for their eligibility to donate blood and briefed them on the importance and various aspects of blood donation. Donor certificates were also distributed to all voluntary blood donors in recognition of their valuable contribution.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Shri Senthil Nathan, VBD In-Charge, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries for their presence and support. He extended special thanks to ITI, Dollygunj, for hosting the event and acknowledged Doordarshan for providing video coverage and helping amplify the message of voluntary blood donation to a wider audience.