87 not out!

  •   Sat, May 18 2024
  •   By Vincent D’Sa

May 18, 2024

87 not out in 22 balls! You read it right: 87, not out. In this case, I am not discussing the IPL or any other cricket match or sporting event. These numbers solely belong to Vincent Paul Quadras, an ex-Indian navy officer. The number says how many times he donated his blood (87 times) in 22 years, saving many lives. 87 times. There is a chance that the numbers look simple for some people who do not donate blood!

Think a little about it. Even if one regularly donates blood after a safe gap of 3 months, one need 22 years of sacrifice, mindset, and concern for those in need.

It is hard to imagine. A few years back, I understood the fundamental importance and in-depth knowledge of blood donation at a function organized in Udupi, to felicitate five big-time blood donors in Udupi-Mangalore region. Vincent Pal Quadras was one of them and the most donated person. I was happy to witness that event since V P Quadras is the best friend of mine and a lady was among our region's top five blood donors.

I had the opportunity to witness and understand the sacrificing nature of Mr. V P Quadras. When one of the people in need contacted me requesting blood, I called V P Quadras. I was stunned by his reply. He said he had just donated his blood and would send his sons to donate blood to needy person. I went mute for a once. It took a couple of minutes to digest what he said. His statement shows his and his family's concern for others' health.

Born and brought up at Pangala parish, Shankerpura, after retirement from the Indian navy, Mr. Quadras settled with his family in Santekatte, Kallianpur. He belongs to Mount Rosary Parish now. After retirement, he worked in various countries as a specialist advisor for work under the sea bed and traveled across many countries.

It is not easy for a known blood donor. At times, people call in the middle of the night and a few times during a family function while traveling to a distant place. He says it is tough to say no to such requests because, at times, they involve a life-and-death scenario.

What motivates him? His reply is simple. We are all born and brought up in low-income families. Life has its challenges for every category of people. The need is everywhere in different forms. They vary in nature, but the basic fundamentals are the same. Those needs carry a lot of stress, causing depression in life. We need one another's help to cross the challenges safely. He says his call is in the form of blood donation. He willingly took the demand, and the rest we read already.

He finds satisfaction in helping people in need in society. Hence, he spends almost all of his active time lending a helping hand to his parishioners, besides many others, in various acts.

This is a small and humble request to the readers. Life expectancy has been reduced by almost five years. Many are dying young for various reasons. Accidents are one of the reasons why young lives lay their life on the road. Being an accident victim, we are taken to hospitals almost immediately. Hence, the chances of our organs remaining healthy even after death are extremely high. Instead of wasting our invaluable organs, let us donate organs like kidneys, livers, eyes, and skin to the needy and live after death. There was a saying that only elephants are helpful after death due to their tusker, not people. That is a pretty old phrase. Now, the scenario has been reversed. Even the human body is valuable even after death if you decide to be so. Kindly donate your organs. Don't waste them. Give life to others and live your dreams through them. Youths, especially those who drive two-wheelers, make arrangements to donate their organs in case of an accidental death.

Bringing these types of hidden people to the forefront is essential to show suitable and positive role models in a world where negativity rules. I have made an effort. My previous article was about one such gem from the sports arena, Neole Anna Cornelio, incidentally from the same region, Santhekatte.

Given the safety gap of three months to donate blood, V P Quadras has to wait three more years to reach the milestone, which is his 100th blood donation event. I will return here in this column to celebrate his impending blood donation century in 2028! Until then, we all wish Vincent Paul Quadras a healthy life.

Two people are chasing their dream chase to reach the milestone: Virat and Vincent, one in sports and the other one in charity. Let's see who goes first!

 

 
By Vincent D’Sa
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Comment on this article

  • Clevin D'Souza, Pangla/Dubai

    Wed, May 22 2024

    Great Article from Vincent. Amazing to know that VP Quadras donated Blood 87 times. We as a person if not in 03 months, but can donate blood at least once a year to help the needy. Blood donation can be done by any healthy person and as expert says it will fill back in our body within some hours.

  • venkat rao, Bangalore

    Wed, May 22 2024

    A great job indeed. may god bless Mr.V P Quadros and his family.

  • Janice, Sharjah, UAE

    Sun, May 19 2024

    Invaluable and heroic act of Sir Vincent Quadras and his family. As I research, 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. For 87 times, imagine, more than hundred of lives you had saved and still counting..... The community is indeed grateful for ur vital contribution. Heaven has its own way of returning the credit to you and your family. Thanks also to Sir VP D'sa for an inspiring article.. Keep on writing!

  • Gretta, Mumbai

    Sat, May 18 2024

    An average person donates blood only a couple of times in a lifetime, but 87 times is an unbelievable number. I am sure those who received blood from you are praying for your good health. God bless. Virat Kohli is playing for the country for a fee, but Mr.Quadros is getting nothing in return other than best wishes.

  • Roshan, Bahrain

    Sat, May 18 2024

    I am glad to read about Mr Vincent Quadros. Amazing feet. It's not an easy sacrifice. We pray you achieve the century of blood donations. There is an increased awareness of organ donation, but more is needed. The number of people waiting for kidney transplants is alarming.

  • Lawrence Rego, Qatar

    Sat, May 18 2024

    First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr.Quadros. When it is difficult to donate blood once in a lifetime, Mr.V P Quadros donated blood 87 times! There are no words. May God bless him and his family.

  • Sachin, Dubai

    Sat, May 18 2024

    An incredible achievement indeed. 87 times blood donation! I had never heard of such people before! Such persons still exist. That is why this world is still in the balance. Congratulations, Mr. V P Quadraos and family. 

  • Priyanka Dsouza, Pangla/Muscat

    Sat, May 18 2024

    Uncle Vincy, Lovely article on blood donation. I was amazed to read Mr Paul and his family 's commitment and concern for the well being of the society. I have heard that he does lot of social work. May God grant him good health and fulfill his dream. Nice to see uncle Paul after many years. I had his college days face in my mind. Best wishes, more power and God's grace be upon him.

  • Stany Jovin Menezes, Muscat/ Pangla

    Sat, May 18 2024

    Well written ! . Mr.Vincent Paul Quadras' commitment to donating blood is amazing and shows how one person can save many lives. His story reminds us how important it is to help others and give back to the community.


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