آپ ایک تھیلیسیمیا مریض کی مدد کیسے کرسکتے ہیں؟

Visually impaired become torchbearers, donate …

Courtesy by: himvani.com

Shimla: It was the first camp of its kind in Himachal Pradesh in which six visually impaired persons came forward to donate blood voluntarily. In fact, the blood donation camp was inaugurated by Shobhu Ram, president of Blind Persons Association of Himachal Pradesh by donating blood. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal also paid visit to the camp and lauded efforts being made by Umang Foundation to protect the rights of children with thalassemia in the state. As many as sixty persons, including girls, donated blood in the camp to support children with thalassemia.

The camp was held in association with SEWA Trust, and was dedicated to the loving memory of two young journalists who died young. Ajai Srivastava, a crusader for the rights of the disabled, convener of the camp and president of Umang Foundation, said blind persons gave a very strong message to the society that they want to make a positive contribution to the society and should not be excluded at all. Anurup Thakur, Tarachand, Kartar Sharma, Gopal and Naveen Kumar, all blinds, also donated blood. Shobhu Ram thanked Ajai Srivastava for giving an opportunity to blind persons to donate blood and support the cause of children with thalassemia.

The Chief Minister, while visiting the blood donation camp, said that Umang Foundation was rendering a great service to the society by creating awareness about the importance of blood donation and the problems being faced by children with Thalassemia.

Rakesh Kanwar, founder trusty of SEWA Trust, was among those who donated blood. He said the trust would continue to support such cause in future also. Prof. Vepa Rao, patron of the trust, Ms. Meeakshi Kanwar, a trusty, was also present in the camp. The camp received active support from members of YES, a local organization of youth.

DM department organises blood donation drive

Courtesy by: xpress4me.com

The Assets Management Department of Dubai Municipality organised a blood donation campaign in collaboration with Al Wasl Hospital Blood Bank at its premises in Abu Hail. The campaign, held during the official working hours, saw tremendous response from the employees from various departments of the Municipality.

Khalifa Hareb, Director of Assets Management Department said that the organisation of the campaign was a reiteration of the importance of its contribution in the service of society.

Hareb explained that blood donation contributes to many health benefits such as revitalizing bone marrow to form new blood cells, stimulating the heart muscle and blood circulation and thus reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke among donors.

“It also helps the reduction of blood pressure and cholesterol, and is also a cure for the high proportion of blood in smokers accompanied by headache and dizziness,” he said.

“In addition to the health benefits there are great humanitarian benefits that contribute to filling the need for blood for Thalassemia patients every three to four weeks, and many cases of diseases such as bleeding and heart open, and others,” Hareb added.

The doctors say there are the conditions and advices for donating blood. The donor’s age should be between 18 and 65 years, should be in good health, should not be taking any medicines by mouth or needles, the weight of the donor should be at least 50 kg for women and 60 kg for men, and the proportion of haemoglobin should be less than 13.5 grams for men and less than 12 grams for women.

HMC honours blood donors

Courtesy by: gulf-times.com

The Hamad Medical Corporation’s blood donor unit has honoured around 600 individuals and corporate organisations who have taken part in blood donation campaigns organised by the unit.

Some 522 male and female blood donors, including five distinguished and long-time donors as well as 75 public and private organisations, were felicitated.

The event was organised as part of the World Blood Donor Day commemoration, the fourth of its kind being held by the blood unit.
Present at the event among other dignitaries were Minister of Public Health HE Abdullah Khalid al-Qahtani, HMC managing director Hanan al-Kuwari, HMC board chairperson Latifa al-Houty and senior government officials.
Speaking to reporters after the recognition ceremony at the Sheraton, the minister commended the unit’s efforts and all the donors who have made it possible for the blood bank to meet 85% of blood requirement.

“I hope we will reach the 100%-level before the end of this year,” HE al-Qahtani said.

The country stopped importing blood in 1987.

The number of donors so far has reached 17,000.

In her speech, al-Houty mentioned that last year’s statistics showed that the blood donation campaign by the hospital yielded 17,360 units covering about 85% of the blood and blood components required.

“Our endeavour to raise public awareness has been so far rewarded and we hope that by carrying on with our vigorous public campaign, we would be able to achieve 100% and meet the needs of the HMC blood bank and of various private and public hospitals in the country,” she said.

The in-charge of the blood donor unit Sidiqa al-Mahmoudi said the unit attached a great importance to the World Blood Donor Day and recognised it as an international event that strengthens the links between voluntary blood donors and patients.

“It is a continuation of a journey started a long time ago, when the unit used to celebrate this day by organising several activities to disseminate information about the culture of voluntary blood donation,” she said.

The Blood Bank laboratory chief Dr Ajayeb al-Nabet also spoke on the occasion.

Highlights of the event, sponsored by RasGas company, were the recitation of a poem by one of the best donors and a recital by a young thalassemia patient.

Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Organizes an Appreciation Ceremony for the Blood Donors on the World Blood Donor Day -14 June 2009

Courtesy by: eyeofdubai.com

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic celebrates the “World Blood Donor Day 2009” on Sunday 14 June 2009. SKMC is owned and operated by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

On this special occasion, the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank (ADBB) organizes a special ceremony to acknowledge all their regular blood donors and corporate organizations in the ADBB Building today. The management of SKMC will honor 25 regular blood donors and the top 15 organizations that have supported the ADBB and organized donation drives for their employees during the past 5 years.

World Blood Donor Day is an international health awareness event celebrated annually on the 14^th of June to support national blood donor programs in building a stable base of voluntary unpaid donors who make a long term commitment to blood donation.

The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank (ADBB), the major donor center and blood bank in Abu Dhabi is part of the Transfusion Medicine Services division of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at SKMC. It provides blood supply that covers the needs of governmental and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi and provides support to other Emirates.

Dr. Laila O. Abdel Wareth, Chair of Laboratory Medicine at SKMC said “during the World Blood Donor Day, we would like to encourage voluntary, non – remunerated blood donation which contributes in saving lives. By donating regularly, the donors help us maintain an adequate supply on hand and we encourage their continued support. Millions of people owe their lives to people they will never meet. We would like to recognize those people today and thank them for their deeds”.

“Some of our patients who benefit from blood donation are also invited to the event. We have three thalassemic patients who will also give speeches to thank the blood donors for their humanity donation of blood.”

Dr. Naima Oumeziane, head of the ADBB commented “Amongst our top 25 blood donors, some of them have been donating blood regularly for the past 20 years. They used to visit us for donation 3 – 5 times a year in an average”.

“During the first five months of 2009, the ADBB collected 10700 units of blood and 300 units of Apheresis Platelets. UAE Nationals who represent 15.1 % of all donors comprise the largest number of donors amongst the many different nationalities that give blood each year”, Dr. Oumeziane added.

Dr. Maria Araneta, head of Transfusion Medicine Services at SKMC mentioned that voluntary blood donors are the foundation of safe blood supply because they are associated with significantly lower levels of infections that can be transmitted by transfusion. Testing and screening is important, however, the safest donations come from volunteer donors. She revealed SKMC’s plan to convert to 100% voluntary donations in the near future.

Noor Islamic Bank to organize second blood donation drive

Courtesy by: ameinfo.com

Noor Islamic Bank PJSC today announced it has expanded the scope of its second Blood Donation Drive to include donors from the public as part of a country-wide programme to raise awareness on Thalassemia.

Staff and visitors will donate blood from 9.00am to 2:30pm at the Bank’s headquarters in Emaar Square, Building-1 on 29 April.

The campaign, to be held with the support of Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services, is part of the initiative to support the UAE’s programme of eradicating the disease in the country by 2012.

Hussain Al Qemzi, Group CEO, Noor Islamic Bank, said:

‘Thalassemia is a serious blood disorder that affects one in 16 Emiratis each year. It is a condition that is not confined to the sufferer alone, but affects the entire family as well. At Noor Islamic Bank, we are committed to playing our role in not only raising awareness about this genetic condition, but also lending our support by donating blood to organizations that help patients and their families.’

The blood donation drive is part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility programme that supports community needs including special needs, breast cancer and charity initiatives.

The Blood Donation Centre in Al Wasl Hospital will receive the blood. The Centre performs various humanitarian duties such as providing blood for several Thalassemia children who are in constant need of transfusion every three to four weeks. The donations will also be used by cardiology patients who have undergone open heart surgeries, those suffering from leukemia and patients with other blood disorders.

Thalassemia is a genetic blood condition that is inherited by children from their parents. The condition limits the patient’s ability to produce enough haemoglobin in the blood. Children born with Thalassemia usually develop symptoms of severe anaemia within their first year.

SKMC launches blood donation drive for its employees

Courtesy by: ameinfo.com

The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, which operates under the direction of the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City managed by Cleveland Clinic launched a blood donation campaign for two days 24 and 25 March 2009 at SKMC

Staff from the various facilities that comprise the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City volunteered in response to the growing demand for blood and blood components. The campaign exceeded its goal of donors and more than 65 blood unit were collected by the end of the first day.

SKMC is owned and operated by Seha, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Blood Bank provides blood supply covering the needs of governmental and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi and provides support to the other Emirates. Blood transfusions often are needed for trauma victims due to accidents and burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank medical staff performed tests for hemoglobin, blood pressure and blood type. The blood collection process takes approximately 10-20 minutes per donor while the entire process from the time volunteers register and begin the screening until they leave took approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Educational brochures, leaflets and posters were distributed around the facility to raise awareness among the employees about donating blood.

Volunteers provide nearly all the nation’s blood supply for transfusion; there is no substitute for Human Blood. If eligible donors give blood twice a year, it would greatly help in maintaining an adequate blood supply for the country. Eligible blood donors can donate blood 3-4 times a year safely.

Dr. Atul Mehta, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Laila Abdel Wareth, Chairman of Laboratory Medicine at SKMC praised the efforts of Dr. Maria M. Araneta, Head of SKMC Transfusion Medicine Services and Dr. Naima Oumeziane, Clinical Head of the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank for organizing the event and thanked the staff who donated blood to save lives.

The Blood Bank staff ensures that international standards are complied with and that all blood donors were carefully screened to meet strict criteria and that all blood that is donated undergoes 6 major tests for infectious disease. The blood donation process is very safe; the health care team at the Blood Bank will assess donors to ensure their safety. It is not possible to acquire any disease through donating blood because only new, disposable, sterilized equipment is used for each donor.

The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 9:00pm and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Organizations that would like to host the Mobile Blood Bank can call the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank to make arrangements.

The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Criteria for Blood Donors:

– He/She must be in good physical condition and overall good health (a basic physical is given to check blood pressure, weight, temperature and hemoglobin)
– He/She must be at least 18 years old
– He/She must be a minimum weight of 50kgs
– He/She must successfully complete a health history questionnaire

If the donor successfully meets the above criteria, the blood drawn will be tested and screened for the following 6 infectious diseases (in addition to ABO and RH Blood Type):

1. HIV 1 and 2 Antibody / HIV p24 Antigen (AIDS)
2. Hepatitis B Core Antibody (antiHBc)
3. Hepatitis C Antibody (anti HCV)
4. HTLV I and II Antibody (anti HTLV I and II)
5. Serological Test for Syphilis
6. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBs Ag)

Approximately every three seconds, someone needs blood. By donating one unit of blood a donor can help save the lives of up to three people. One unit of blood is separated into several components. These components are red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. Red Blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues in the body and contain hemoglobin which gives it its red color and must be used within 42 days. Platelets help blood to clot and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live. Platelets must be used within 5 days. Plasma helps maintain blood pressure, carries blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones, and supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity. Plasma can be frozen and used for up to one year. And finally cryoprecipitate, a component of blood obtained by freezing and thawing plasma. Cryoprecipitate is useful in replacing some clotting factors in patients missing them congenitally or because of operation or trauma.

International Distribution by Blood Type:

The approximate international distribution of blood types is as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups:

O Rh-positive — 38%
O Rh-negative — 7%
A Rh-positive — 34%
A Rh-negative — 6%
B Rh-positive — 9%
B Rh-negative — 2%
AB Rh-positive — 3%
AB Rh-negative — 1%

In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells, and type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as ‘universal donors,’ and those with type AB blood are known as ‘universal recipients.’ In addition, AB plasma donors can give to all blood types.

Blood donation camp by UMANG

Courtesy by: himvani.com

It was a very touching moment when Aditi (14), a girl child with Thalassemia felicitated Razia (20) by presenting her a red rose as a token of love, affection and respect, immediately after the later donated blood in a camp specially organized in support of children with Thalassemia at the Ridge in Shimla on 14 January, 2009. Defying severe cold wave in the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, a large number of people, including young girls and women, gathered at the Ridge to support the cause and to celebrate Makar Sankranti. As many as 90 people donated blood in the voluntary blood donation camp. The camp was organized by Umang Foundation for Children with Thalassemia, in association with the Himachal Pradesh Chapter of Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS).

Ganesh Dutt, Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) inaugurated the camp with an appeal that people should come forward for the service of humanity as per the high traditions of Hindu Society. He congratulated the organizers of the camp for motivating people, especially the youth, towards this noble cause.

It was the second camp of its kind in this hill state. Not only Aditi, Arjun, Sahil, Pranjal and many other children with Thalassemia were present in the camp along with their parents to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the blood donors.

Founder of Umang Foundation and Chairman of SDRS, Ajai Srivastava donated blood for the 74th time. He told that there were three objectives of this voluntary blood donation camp. First, it was to address the acute shortage of blood in the blood banks of Shimla during present severe cold conditions, second, to make focus on the problems of children with Thalassemia and last but not the least, to celebrate daan parv Makar Sankranti with the people of Shimla and tourists by donating blood. He said it was necessary for Hindus to redefine their festivals as per the needs and circumstances prevailed in the society. Interestingly many Muslims, including girls like Razia and Salma, also donated blood in the camp. Salma, student in a local college, said, “There is nothing like voluntary blood donation camp. When you donate blood for an unknown person, the artificial barriers of caste, creed, religion and language are automatically demolished.” She said it was the happiest moment of her life when she was donating blood.

Dalel Thakur, General Secretary of SDRS donated blood for the 29th time. Many journalists like Dhananjay Sharma, Him Kiran Manta and Krishna also donated blood. Regular blood donors and office bearers of SDRS and Umang Foundation, Yashwant Rai, Bharti Kuthiala and Sanjeev Sunta very successfully motivated many particularly the first timers, for the blood donation. Dr. Sandeep Malhotra, Blood Bank Officer at Indira Gandhi Medical College Blood Bank, was happy to see a good turnout at the camp and congratulated the organizes for the success of the camp.

It is pertinent to mention that with in few months of coming in to existence, Umang Foundation for Children with Thalassemia in the guidance of Ajai Srivastava, has done an exemplary work to bring the children with Thalassemia in the agenda of the society and the government in Himachal Pradesh.

Give the gift of life

Courtesy by: http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/content/2008/dec/27/give-gift-life/news/

HICKORY – Newton resident Rose Shoestock went to Wal-Mart Saturday morning, but she didn’t go to shop.

While shoppers streamed past the Red Cross bus eager to return unwanted gifts or take advantage of the post-Christmas sales, Shoestock was inside, sitting back with her feet up doing what she does every eight weeks — giving blood.

“I come out every 56 days on the dot,” Shoestock said explaining that she considers donating blood her civic duty. Her father and brother were in the military and their devotion to duty has inspired her to do her part and give back to the community.

Benita Singleton, a nurse with the Red Cross, is grateful for regular donors like Shoestock, especially around the holidays, because blood supplies tend to run low during the Christmas season.

More people are traveling, busy or sick during this season, and, although the Red Cross would love to have as many donations as possible, people battling the flu, colds or even a sniffle are discouraged from donating, Singleton said.

In her eight years with the Red Cross, Singleton has seen a lot of first-time donors who were nervous about donating blood because they worried they might get woozy or pass out. They discovered, after donating for the first time, that it’s really not such a big deal after all.

Singleton said the bus was in front of Wal-Mart for four 1/2 hours Saturday, and her goal for the day was to get 30 donations. She nearly made it. Twenty-eight people came out to donate Saturday. That’s enough donations to save 84 lives.

“One donation can save at least three people,” she said, and that’s the whole reason the Red Cross holds blood drives.

More people tend to donate blood when the mobile unit sets up at shopping centers because they find it more convenient, Singleton said. As an added incentive during the holidays, everyone who donates blood will get a free T-shirt (while supplies last), in addition to the usual after-donation snack.

“Blood supplies are low right now,” Benita said. “If people can come out and donate, it sure would help us out.”

BLOOD STATISTICS

• 4.5 million Americans benefit from life-saving blood transfusions each year.

• 40,000 pints are transfused each day in the United States.

• 1 out of every 3 people will require a life-saving transfusion sometime during their lifetime.

• Someone in this country needs a life-saving transfusion every 3 seconds.

• Transfusion recipients include cancer patients, accident, burn and trauma victims, newborn babies, transplant patients, mothers delivering babies, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, etc.

• Each donation of blood can help save 3 lives following component (red cell, platelet, plasma) separation.

• Much of today’s sophisticated medical care ( transplants, heart surgeries, etc.) rely on blood transfusions.

• Car accident and trauma victims may need as many as 50 or more red cell transfusions.

• Severe burn victims may need as many as 20 platelet transfusions.

• Bone marrow transplants may require platelets from more than 100 donors and red cells from more than 20 people.

• Blood products are perishable.

• Donated red cells last only 42 days.

• Donated platelets last only five days.

• Plasma can be frozen for a year.

• The need for blood never takes a holiday.

Eligibility:

• Nearly everyone between the ages of 17 and 75, weighing a minimum of 110 pounds and in good health can donate blood. Donors over age 75 who are healthy and meet all other donor requirements simply require a doctor’s written permission note to donate.

• 60 percent of Americans are eligible to donate blood; yet on average only 5 percent of Americans donate.

• People can safely donate blood every 8 weeks.

• People can safely donate platelets every 3 days or up to 24 times a year.

How Blood Works:

• Red cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues.

• Platelets act like band-aids to form clots and stop bleeding.

• Plasma is the liquid through which blood cells, proteins, enzymes, nutrients and hormones “swim.”

• White cells, also called “leukocytes,” are the body’s primary defense against infection.

• The average person has between 8 to 10 pints of blood in their body and can easily spare one for donation.

• After donating, blood volume is replaced, or regenerated, within 24 hours. Red cells need 4 to 8 weeks for complete replacement.

• There is no substitute for human blood.

Students donate blood

Courtesy by: thenews.com.pk

PESHAWAR: Hamza Foundation organised blood donation camps at various places of the Peshawar city and Nowshera district on Thursday.

The camps were set up at Pakistan Degree College Nowshera, Khyber Model Degree College Nowshera, Fast University Peshawar and Preston University Peshawar. Taking part in the event the students donated 195 bags of blood.

Director Dr Fakhruz Zaman RMO Mohammad Ishfaq and Program Coordinator Ibrarullah Jan lauding the high spirit of the students for their voluntarily services urged them to extend all kinds of help to the people suffering from Thalassemia.

They delivered lectures to create awareness among people regarding the disease and how to take care of such patients. Chairman and Founder of Hamza Foundation, Ejaz Ali Khan thanked the students for the warm participation in the great cause of blood collection.