Fr Francis Alappatt, blood donation campaigner, no more

Thrissur: Father Francis Alappatt, the doctor-turned priest who made yeoman contributions in transforming blood donation from a scrupulous money-minting business into a generous voluntary activity in the state, died here on Wednesday. He was 72 and was ailing for quite some time.Alappatt, who completed MBBS from Govt Medical College, Kozhikode, was ordained as priest in 1995, and one of his early postings was at Eravimangalam Parish in Thrissur. During his tenure there, he succeeded in making that entire village blood-literate. He piloted the move to list blood groups of every student in the SSLC book, mandatory.Fr Alappatt was the founder of Kerala Blood Donors' Forum (KBF) which popularised the motto ‘Give blood, give life'. Interestingly, at a time when organisations indulge in all forms of gimmicks to establish their eternal relevance, KBF scripted a new chapter on organisational propriety and etiquette. The organisation formed in 1979 decided to liquidate its structural framework in 2015, recognising that its goal has been more or less achieved.Alappatt had said even as a student he had noticed touts loitering around Kozhikode Medical College like hawks for ‘arranging' blood for patients who require blood transfusion, after extracting hefty sums from them. He had then mobilised about 50 MBBS students, who announced their willingness to donate blood free. And this kick-started his campaign, which lasted for several decades, to promote free blood donation. Fr Alappatt was an inspiring presence in the spiritual, social and cultural fields of Thrissur and steadfastly upheld secular values even when working as a priest.He was the founder of the organisation Satsang which debated several socio-cultural issues. Noted entrepreneur Pattabhi Raman, who was the president of Satsang recalled that Fr Alappatt boldly made several interventions retaining the secular credentials of this organisation. "Jubilee Mission Medical College would not have become successful without Fr Alappatt's contributions as its founder director," he said.Fr Alappatt has authored nearly 50 books, including novels, and has directed a documentary on blood donation, Poovithal Pozhiyumbol, and short film Ormakalkappuram starring T G Ravi. His last rites will be performed at Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours on Friday, according to Thrissur archdiocese sources.CPM general secretary M A Baby, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, leader of opposition V D Satheesan and former KPCC president V M Sudheeran were among those who condoled the death of Fr Alappatt.