By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Dec 14: Vile Parle MLA Krishna Hegde, in association with Jagrut (an NGO), organized a blood donation drive at Parle Tilak Vidyalay in Vile Parle (East), on Sunday December 13. 

The blood donation drive was held in response to the needs of children afflicted with Thalassemia.
 

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder where the patients need to undergo regular blood transfusions since their body cannot produce enough haemoglobin. It afflicts approximately one lac people in India and nearly 10,000 to 20,000 people are annually diagnosed with it.

The average life span of a person suffering from Thalassemia major is low since there is no cure other than a bone marrow transplant and regular blood transfusions. Awareness is the only tool to battle this disorder as it is passed on only if both parents are Thalassemic minors.
 
The blood donation drive generated a good response and over 250 bottles of blood were collected and handed over to the blood bank of J J Hospital. 
 
“We have to create awareness about Thalassemia. A blood test for Thalassemia minor should be taken by couples before marriage to avert this disorder and ensure that their child is not afflicted by Thalassemia”, said Hegde.
 
“Looking at the tremendous response, we will be organizing another blood donation drive shortly”, said Narendra Hirani, president of Jagrut Group.
 
Kripashankar Singh, president of MRCC, also attended the blood donation drive. Appreciation certificates and mementos were distributed to all the donors.