Mumbai Ultra, Tata Memorial Centre conducts blood donation camp on 75th Independence Day

by Suman Gupta

Mumbai, August , 2021: Mumbai Ultra in association with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) organised a massive blood collection drive, which is a second in a row on Independence Day i.e., August 15 2021 at Veer Savarkar Bhavan, Dadar, Mumbai.  The drive was organised in order to ensure the blood banks in the hospital maintain necessary stock and the patients get the necessary units during their treatment in the hospital.

Mumbai Ultra Marathon runners partnered with Tata Memorial Centre to start this unique drive with a motto – “If we cannot let our blood run” – an attempt to turn the current challenging times into an opportunity. Each year, the runners organize a marathon on 15th August and dedicate the fundraised towards the treatment of children with cancer in Tata Memorial Hospital. Due to the prevailing restrictions existing in the pandemic, Mumbai Ultra Runners have decided to organize a Blood Donation Camp on 15th August at Veer Sawarkar Bhavan, Dadar, Mumbai. Tata Memorial Centre is the largest Cancer Institute in the country and each year more than 70,000 new cancer patients come to Tate Memorial Centre for diagnosis, treatment, and advice.

The Blood Donation Drive was largely driven with Contributions from the Running Groups and the Fitness Community across Mumbai City and suburbs as far as Panvel, Karjat and Virar.

Mr. Anand Kane, Volunteer from Mumbai Ultra Team acknowledged the contribution made by the Donors and the staff of Tata Memorial Central in the collection of blood units. He further said that approximately 1500 people visited the Centre and nearly 600 units of blood were expected to be collected by the end of the drive. With such a positive response, Mumbai Ultra is aiming to collect 2022 units in 2022. Platelet Donations were also carried on along with the Blood Donation Drive adding value to the Platelet donor count.

Mrs. Akshada Tendulkar, Social Worker acknowledged the contribution made by Mumbai Ultra Team and committed to being part of the blood donation drive for next year and try to bring 200 donors from her Group.

Dr. Sunil Rajadhyaksha, Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, appreciated the Mumbai Ultra initiative of Blood Donation Drive organised for two years and said, “Mumbai at least needs 1000 units per day. Blood shelf life is 5-6 weeks, but given the situation today in this pandemic, the stocks don’t last even for a week. Even the best doctors and treatments and facilities might not help if we do not come forward and donate blood. A lot of medication conditions are dependant on blood transfusions, especially cancer. That is why we need to come forward to donate blood regularly so that the blood banks are full. I urge everyone to be a regular donor and a saviour of life, coz Blood cannot be manufactured and it has to be donated. 

Utmost care and precaution were taken care during the drive. Proper social distance norms were maintained and the campsite was sanitized. The staff collecting blood along with the volunteers and donors were wearing protective gear all the time.