TOI blood donation camp a success

KANPUR: The blood donation camp for women, organised by The Times Of India, in association with Ursala Horsman Memorial (UHM) Hospital on Sunday, drew huge response from people of all walks of life. Breaking the myth that participation of women in blood donation was less in comparison to men, women from different sections of the society marked their presence by donating blood.
More than 40 women from different social organisations, cadets of XVII UP Girls Battalion NCC, III UP Air Squadron NCC and various college students participated in the camp.Over 20 members of Asha Jyoti Seva Samiti also donated blood. Around 15 cadets from III UP Air Squadron NCC and eight cadets from UP Girls Battalion NCC were a part of the camp.
Even ASHA workers participated and over 10 women got themselves registered, out of which only four could donate blood. The others could only play supportive role due to low haemoglobin level. While several doctors, teachers, journalists and advocates also confirmed their participation.
The chief guest of the programme was Shikha Mishra, wife of state health minister Anant Kumar Mishra, who also donated blood.
Claiming that women were equally enthusiastic as males, Manju Bhatia, heading the female candidates of her organisation, said: "In this hectic life, people hardly get an opportunity to do something for others. However, donating blood is such a noble cause which can help in saving somebody's life."
"I came here with my colleagues to support their noble cause but after noticing their spirit, I even wished to join them. It felt so good and I no longer feel that donating blood can be harmful in any way," said Rachna Mishra, a college student.
For Kajal, ace shooter of the Air Squadron NCC, it was an overwhelming experience. "I have donated blood for the first time. I did that because I never back out from any social work," she said.
Nirmal Kapoor from Asha Jyoti said: "Campaigns are a positive means to create awareness as, before this blood donation camp, many of us were ignorant about the importance of donating blood."
Similarly Neelam Chaurasia, a corporator, convinced 10 women to donate blood. She said: "It was a tough task to convince them, but now I am happy."
Many from city outskirts also participated in the campaign. Rajwati Rajpur from Bilhaur was one such case. She was initially very nervous, but later she was found motivating others. Sarbani Bhatia, a businesswomen, said it was the first that she had donated blood.
Chief medical officer Ashok Mishra said: "I was not expecting such a response. But, it is great to see women coming forward and participating in such a large number in the camp."