Lucius Journal September 2009

Official organ of Let Us Care for You MAY – AUGUST 2009

Number 2

What is cornea? The cornea is the clear, transparent dome "The eye is the window to the world, at Who can Donate Eyes? in front of the "black portion" of the eye. It the same time; it is the window of the Almost every one can donate eyes without is also the main focusing surface, which soul."-Shakespeare any age limit. People using spectacles, converges light rays as they enter the eye All of us perhaps have played blindfold affected with diabetes and hypertension or to focus on the retina. It is thus the most games - Kana Machi Bho Bho (body guess), people with systemic disorders like asthma, important part of the optical apparatus of Hari bhanga (breaking an earthen the Eye. Loss of transparency pot blindfold) etc., in our childhood directly results in loss of vision. days. We enjoyed; we laughed. How does a cornea become Removal of the cover over the eyes opaque? gave us relief. The cornea becomes opaque due to Can we adjust to being without following reasons electricity and light? The answer is  Infection ‘NO’. We abate, fumble in the  Injuries darkness and our lives go higgledypiggledy. We are fortunate to be  Iatrogenic (Malpractice, blessed with eyesight, for there are improper Post-operative care millions out there craving to see the after any eye surgery) multitudinous colours of this  Malnutrition beautiful world. Black is their only  Congenital/Hereditary. colour . You can cut the strip of What is corneal transplantation? blackness by a simple gesture by A Corneal transplant is an operation donating your eyes. What can be that replaces the opaque cornea better than brightening someone's life as we leave the world? Our eyes Mr. Subir Bose, senior most member of LUCY inaugurating with a clear cornea obtained from a will live after our death to see this LUCY VISION by pledging to donate his eyes posthumously. human donor. beautiful world for a longer period. tuberculosis, or even those who have Are there any religious conflicts in eye 2 million people in our country can't see undergone cataract surgery can donate donation? because of 'corneal 'blindness. Around eyes. The only criterion is a healthy and There are no religious conflicts on eye 50,000 people go blind every year due to clear cornea. It is always best to fill out an donation. Eye donation gives a gift of life corneal diseases, adding themselves to the eye-pledge form and inform family or sight to others. As such, it is consistent enormous backlog of patients awaiting members of your desire. with beliefs and attitudes of all major corneal transplants. But only 36,000 eyes Can the next kin consent to a donation if religious and ethical traditions. were collected last year, though the death the deceased person has not signed an eye Is the whole eye of the donor toll in the country was around 1 crore. donation form? transplanted? 23rd National Eye Donation fortnight will Yes,the relatives of the deceased can decide No, only the cornea is transplanted. be observed through out the country from on the eye donation of their beloved one. However, the rest of the eye is used for 25th August -8th September. This year's research and education purposes. theme is 'Prevent blindness in children due Who cannot donate their eyes? to deficiency of vitamin A'. The motive to Death due to infections caused viz. rabies, Can a person who is blind due to retinal observe the fortnight is too aware the mass syphilis, infectious hepatitis, septicemia, or optic nerve disease donate his eyes? Yes, provided the donated cornea is clear. to donate eyes for the visually impaired. and AIDS, cannot be a donor.

Eye Donation - A Noble Gesture.

Let's join hands for a noble cause to bring light.

FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR There is an old Buddhist saying, "the stages of the noble path are right view, right thought, right speech, right behaviour, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration." Time has changed-changed drastically-yet these words carry the same weight, the same relevance. In today's era when all these pre-spoken notions are being terminated by 'satanic' disorders and mindlessness has become the general orientation of mankind, there is indeed a pressing need for such a guideline. In the pretext of better living we have entered in open confrontations with our fellow men whom we once considered brothers. The entire race is under a spell of sheer lunacy, falling prey to evil consumerist designs of imperialism. Overall, humanism is at stake. However, despite such crises, "all is not lost." Numbness cannot be the principal aspect of human society. Decadence, in spite of its present dominance, is not the mien of life. We at LUCY are of the view that life, even after its vulgarisation, will one day absolve itself. The Pete Seeger song, "We shall overcome..." is our 'mantra'; and CARE is our motto. We are of course soberly aware that we will come upon all kinds of obstacles on the path of truth. But at the same time we are not scared of the consequences that we might face while implementing our dreams and taking correct approach towards difficulties. Since the inaugural issue of 'Lucius', we have strove forward with more courage and determination. Keeping in mind the real significance of the last 'World Blood Donor Day', we have fought hard to ensure the resurrection of compassion and harmony among different classes of people and nationalities. Like the past years, we have worked with all our might to build an even system of procurement and transfusion of safe blood. The members of LUCY have made tremendous efforts to incorporate budding graduates-"the suns of eight and nine"-in awareness and donation programmes. We proudly proclaim that we have achieved great success in doing so. The young generation has contributed greatly in spreading consciousness among the masses through their active support. We have also triumphed in establishing an educational programme on social service for B.ed students-one of our dream projects.. In the course of effecting this historical phenomenon, LUCY has withstood tests and remoulded itself. Our victory has not been easy. We have suffered terrible wounds-a bunch of 'unsolvable' complications. Anyway, by the grace of people and our dedicated members, we have made a clean sweep of all problems. Friends, LUCY needs your active support. We need you by our side to create a better world-a harmonious society. We pronounce this vow that in the near future we will rally still more closely under the great banner of humanity and integrate with common people and march dauntlessly towards our goal. No evil force can deter us. Our victory is certain.

Letters to the EDITOR Thank You for sending us"LUCIUS". As

I received your official organ 'LUCIUS'

morning shows the day-the first issue of your official organ shows that it will be a very helpful, informative and educative journal for us. We are looking forward for the next issues.

Number 1. I find it interesting and I have appreciation, lot of planning took place behind the publication. I also find, we have some similarity. During my student days in post fifties I was in the debating field, you are also. But I don't know your period. Now, I am almost touching eighty. From your articles I find, you are promoting voluntary blood donation. I have donated blood regularly.

Samar Debnath Secretary Science Foundation Barasat.

Asok Ghosh Secretary SEVA.

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Why : Voluntary Blood Donation Voluntary blood donors are the cornerstone of a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products. The safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations. Despite this notion, family/replacement donors still provide more than 45% of the blood collected in India. Such donors are supposed to be associated with a significantly higher prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) including HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and malaria. For a safe blood service in our country, where comprehensive laboratory tests are neither possible nor pragmatic, it is best to switch over to 100% voluntary donations, as it is now established that only voluntary non-remunerated regular donation is the safest. Thus, one of our key strategies to enhance blood safety is to focus on motivating non-remunerated blood donors and phasing out even replacement donors. The key to recruiting and retaining safe blood donors is good epidemiological data on the prevalence (and incidence, where possible) of infectious markers in the general population to identify low-risk donor populations coupled with an effective donor education, motivation and recruitment strategy to recruit new voluntary nonremunerated blood donors from these populations. A pleasant environment in the blood bank, good donor care, polite and effective communication between staff and donors are all important factors for the retention of blood donors. A guideline designed to assist those responsible for blood donor recruitment and implement a programme to improve communication with blood donors has been developed. These guidelines provide approaches for organizing, collecting information and developing plans; as well as providing ideas that individual centres might consider for recruiting, educating and retaining safe donors.

MOTIVATION - A SCIENTIFIC ART

Prof. Victor Vroom defines motivation as a process governing choices among alternative forms of voluntary activities, a process controlled by the individual. The individual makes choices based on estimates of how well the expected results of a given behavior are going to match up with or eventually lead to the desired results. Motivation is a product of the individual's expectancy that a certain effort

non-donor to donate blood on there own craving without any compulsion. The word motivation has Latin origin. Blood Donor Motivation mean - encourage, Motivation comes from the word motive inspire and stimulate people to donate which is derived from the Latin verb blood. Provide reasons and logic to donate "movere" means to move. So a motive, blood.Develop lust to solve a social quite simple, is something that moves one problem.Instill pride for blood donation. to action. In the field of blood donor motivation, the Characteristically the word motive or motivator should decide the 'Wh' of motivation suggests that something within motivation, ei.,WHO - WHAT - WHY - WHEN one is at work impelling or - WHERE of MOTIVATION, but driving the person. It may be at the same time keeping a need, desire or emotion. things simple. Any single action can be It has to be accepted that driven forward by move than 50% of such motivation one motive. In other words comes from within and 50% motives are often mixed. from the environment. Blood Motivation is the internal donor motivation essentially condition that activates aims at attitude. Incentive behavior and gives it motivation would not ensure direction; energizes and good quality of blood. directs goal-oriented Laws of motivation can be behavior. It is the impetus concluded as: that drives people to behave Only motivated can motivate. in various ways and seek to Motivation requires goal, fulfill a variety of needs. recognition, challenge, Abraham Maslow,renowned participation and group social scientist has earned IEC material - Education IEC material - Motivation belonging. universal fame for his studies Motivation ones achieved on human motivation. Here may not last forever. comes the extract of his Motivation is an ongoing theories of motivation: process. (a) Motivation is the force Progressing motivates. that drives people to satisfy Everybody can be motivated. needs. (b) Needs that people Motivation to donate blood seek to satisfy are involves several distinct steps universal.(c)The motivational or course of action. Firstly it force has a direction towards requires awareness for need specific goal. (d) The intensity of blood. Thus requires of motivation depends on education. Awareness about desire.(e)The motivational the need is an external part force may by short or long of donor motivation. But lasting. (f) With satisfaction of awareness alone is not need, motivation terminates sufficient to cause people to and may by transferred to a actually donate. Motivation IEC material - Donation Recognition new goal. (g) Motivation is a requires interest in the idea result of individual's perception of personal will lead to the intended performance, the of donating blood voluntarily to save a life. value system. instrumentality of this performance to So far education is a conscious matter, we Prof. Frederick Herzberg an American achieving a certain result, and the heritage the schooling based on the professor of Psychology in his research desirability of this result for the individual, principle of works in a book 'The Motivation to work' known as valence. E ..................................... Education identified six components of job Valence X Expectancy = Motivation satisfaction which motivates human beings: M .................................... Motivation From these above premises, Blood Donor 1) Achievement (2) Recognition 3) Work D ..................................... Donation itself (4) Responsibility (5) Advancement Motivation can be defined as a force or progression which enhances desirability of R ..................................... Recognition. and (6) Growth.

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Certificate course on Social Service Through 'Community Outreach' 4 out of 1000 donate blood. If the number can be raised to 8 donors the crisis for blood can be curbed. Survey reports reflect lack of will & motivation as the root cause of the problem. The scenario is just the same in case of thalassaemia detection. Neglect on the part of parents leads to endless suffering and immense pain of the little innocent. Black is the only colour for many in our country. Their world can be filled with myriad colours with a small friendly gesture from our part. HIV/AIDS is the greatest threat to mankind today. Awareness & prevention is the only way to get rid of this menace. For the last few years our organization Let Us Care for You (LUCY) is organizing motivational sessions in the above mentioned fields which includes School & College education programmes. We intended to extend our motivation programme among school teachers. 'Community Outreach' in sessional activities is an important part of the B.ed curriculum. Our society will be more benefited if the motivation & awareness campaign for the above mentioned fields can be integrated in the 'Community Outreach' section of the curriculum. Thus, from this very thought we are launching "Certificate course" for the students undergoing B.ed curriculum. Course content (short outline) : a) Blood Science & Blood Donor Motivation b) Intervention of HIV/AIDS c) Intervention & detection of Thalassaemia d) Awareness programme for Eye & Body Donation Course Objective : i) Motivate and create volunteers among school teachers. ii) Guide interested school teachers intending to work in the fields of blood donor motivation, intervention of HIV/AIDS , Intervention & detection of Thalassaemia and awareness of Body & Eye donation. iii) Assimilate the concept of voluntary works in the field of welfare activities. iv) Develop interested school teachers as social workers; master motivators. v) Equip them with scientific communication technique and the art of Man- management based on motivation.

Learning Method : Lecture , Board work, slide presentation followed by group discussion. Teaching Aids : Chalk, Duster, Chalk board, flip chart, leaflet, folder, booklet, blood bag, poster, model & projector. Duration of Lecture : a) Blood Science & Blood Donor Motivation 120 minutes b) Thalassaemia Intervention 30 minutes c) HIV-AIDS Intervention 120 minutes d) Eye & Body donation 30 minutes. Medium of Instruction : Bengali Eligibility : Students undergoing B.ed course. Course Content (Broad outline) :

Blood Science & Blood Donor Motivation THEORY Basic Concept - Significance & importance of the topic; History of blood transfusion science &voluntary blood donation movement in India; national and world scenario; Estimated blood need & supply; Who needs blood & when; Role of school teacher, social worker & blood donor motivator. Blood Science : Components & function of Blood and its components; Blood volume; Blood group & inheritance of blood group; Blood preservation, blood products; Blood communicable disease & safe blood transfusion; Donor selection; Reasons for not donating blood. Blood Bank : Blood procurement rules & procedure; Evils of commercialization; Quality assurance& quality management in blood banks; National Blood Policy; supreme court directives. Blood Donor Motivation ,Communication & recruitment: Motivation & education of blood users & blood bankers; Campaigns; Preparation & use of IEC materials, Exhi bitions; Techniques of donor motivation & donor retention; School education programme ; College education programme ; Negative Club; Club 25. Blood donation & donor : Donor, panel donor, negative group donor, on-call donor, emergency donor; Blood donation camps; Care & counseling of donor; Recognition of donors. Practical : i) Participation in blood donation camp ii) Participation in school education programme. iii) Blood bank visit & survey report . iv) Blood donation camp survey report.

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HIV/AIDS Intervention THEORY Basic concept : Importance & significance of the topic; History of HIV-AIDS ; How HIV is transmitted ;Role of school teacher. HIV/AIDS scenario : World scenario, Indian scenario & West Bengal scenario. Basic science : What is HIV; What is AIDS/ HIV Facts & Myths Prevention & Prevention strategies : Who is at risk; school & college education programme ; Truckers & migrant labours awareness programme ; women & youth awareness programme. Care, support & treatment : Anti-retroviral therapy (ART); Prevention of parent to child transmission (PPTCT) ; Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) PRACTICAL : i) Participation in School education Programme ii) Participation in awareness drive of truckers & migrant labours. iii) Survey report of awareness drive & school education programme.

Thalassaemia Intervention & Detection THEORY : Basic concept : Importance & significance of the topic; History of THALASSAEMIA; Role of school teacher. Thalassaemia scenario : World scenario, Indian scenario & West Bengal scenario. Basic science, Management & Prevention : What is thalassaemia; Types of Thalassaemia; What happens in thalassaemia; Iron overload & its complications : Splenomegaly ; Management of Thalassaemia patients; When & why should one test his/her thalassaemia status ; Prevention of Thalassaemia ; School educational programme. PRACTICAL : i) Participation in School education Programme ii) Thalassaemia Detection. Eye & Body donation THEORY : Basic concept: Importance & significance of the topic; History of Eye & Body donation; Role of social worker. Scenario: World scenario, Indian scenario & West Bengal scenario. PRACTICAL : i) Participation in School education Programme ii) Pledge to donate Eye and Body.

Course Duration : August - April Day wise distribution : Theory : a) Blood & Thalassaemia awareness 1 Day (120 minutes + 30 Minutes) b) HIV/AIDS & Eye and Body donation awareness 1 Day (120 minutes + 30 minutes) * Theory classes to be concluded by October. Practical : a) Blood bank Visit

b) Participation in School education Programme c ) Participation in Thalassaemia detection; Eye & Posthumous body donation. d) Participation in Blood donation Camp e) Survey Report of Blood bank visit and analysis report of school education Programme. WRITTEN EVALUATION : Evaluation is based on assignments, written examination (MCQ) , participation in school educational & awareness programmes & thalassaemia detection.

Distribution of marks a) Thalassaemia detection b) Participation in school education programme c) Participation in blood donation camp d) Survey & analysis report e) Eye & posthumous body donation f) Written examination Total

10 marks 20 marks 20 marks 10 marks 10 marks 30 marks 100 marks

UNAIDS felicitation to LUCY for excellent commemoration of World AIDS Day 2008

LUCY Awards :

Recipients

1. AYAN BISWAS MEMORIAL AWARD (Highest number of 1st Time Blood Donor in a camp) 2. PARIMALABHA DHAR MEMORIAL AWARD (Highest number of Blood Donor in Social organization level camp.) 3. ANANTA BASU MEMORIAL AWARD (Highest number of Blood Donor in Office camp) 4. BISWANATH BISWAS MEMORIAL AWARD (Highest number of Blood Donor in Political organization camp) 5. SOUMI MUKHERJEE MEMORIAL AWARD (Highest number of Blood Donor in a College camp) 6. ARPAN PRAMANIK MEMORIAL AWARD (Highest number of Blood donor in a 1st time organized camp)

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G.C.M.College of Education,New Barrackpur Nabankur,Northern Avenue. Dynamic Digital Technologies,Saltlake. S.F.I. Prabhu Jagabandhu College Unit, Andul NUJS, Saltlake. Sandhani Gosthi,New Barrackpur.

Pledge to fight againt HIV/AIDS

Outdoor campaign in WBD day, 2009

Inauguration of LUCIUS

Blood Donation Camp Decor New IEC Material

New IEC Material Blood Donation Camp of Sandhani Gosthi

Mother and son donating blood together

Tania Dey "Project Smile" is a revolutionary concept. I fill so happy and relaxed as a part of the project. "Happy" because I found myself responsible, and 'Relaxed" because I fill connected to the society. Children should have a right childhood with proper education and health care. But in our nation this primary requirement is violated in much way. Today's children are the future of the nation, to build the future we need to work keeping hand in hand. Everybody should come forward and do something like that. Our collective effort can raise "Smile" everywhere.

Project Smile Sponsor Speaks: Amritapa & Sharmishtha Pattanayak: It feels great to be associated with Lucy. It is not only a great initiative, but also it's a new way to be a ray of hope for the under privileged. Through projects like these we can dream of better India in the coming generation... we are here with LUCY...to careeveryone....

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National news World Blood Donors' Day 2009 celebrated Let Us Care for You (LUCY), out of its social commitment, resolved and organized several programmes on 14th June 2009. To ensure a wide impact for WBDD 2009, the LUCY core committee undertook quite a few campaign programmes to commemorate WBDD 2009. 13th June 2009 : (a) Institution based campaign in various offices, schools and colleges on 100% voluntary non-remunerated donation of blood and blood components. Stickers, posters and fliers were used as campaign material. (b) Campaign in Railway stations and Bus stands spreading the significance of WBDD. 14th June 2009: (a) Workshop (b) Blood donation motivation awareness campaign was conducted in front of 6 Medical college Hospitals in the City of Joy from 3 P.M. - 8 P.M. Stickers, posters and fliers were used as campaign material. (c) Volunteers and Member of Let Us Care for You bleed in Blood banks as a part of the campaign. The trial run of the component separation unit of Medical College blood Bank was done with the blood donated by LUCY volunteers. (d) Fliers were distributed door to door in certain areas of the city and suburbs along with Daily Newspapers. (e) Campaign in Railway stations and Bus stands spreading the significance of WBDD.  Campaign in FM radio from 12th June 14th June.  Campaign of WBDD 2009 through various local cable operators.  "Thank You Blood Donor" letter for blood donors associated with the organization. 1,149 rolled up sleeves in memory 16 football lovers died in a stampede during a derby league game between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan on 16th August in 1980 at Eden Gardens.In Memory of the Football Fans, I.F.A.and AVBD, WB joined hands, designated the day as Football Lovers' Day arranging Blood donation camp in memory of the deceased football lovers in 1981. This year 1,149 football lovers donated blood on the occasion. 685 bleed at the Town Hall and 464 in the districts.

Boost blood donation through utility bills We all know how important utility bills are for us. To increase their utilities more, we can make an effort to announce messages around blood donation in such bills. This is sure to attract a huge population in the corporate sector and multi national companies across our nation. Examples can be drawn from bills from Reliance Energy (Mumbai) which are already carrying such inspirational messages to donate blood. These messages are carrying appeal to donate blood regularly. With this new drive, we can all hope that households across the nations, which have members going to corporate or may be still in the school/ college periphery, shall be inspired to take this noble activity of donating blood.

International News: New law allows "Minors" to donate blood in Colorado. Nurse and lawmaker Sara Gagliardi (DArvada) was interested in changing the age of legal blood donation when she heard that some teens in her district couldn't do blood drives at their high schools. With Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood), she worked with Bonfils and other advocates to change the law. Now, 16-year-olds, with parental permission, will be allowed to donate blood from August 5th and a big boost in the number of high school-based blood drives is expected. Whitney 636. Devon Milkovich of Elyria chose to celebrate her Sweet 16 with a needle in her arm at LifeShare. Devon, who will start her junior year at Elyria High School in the coming weeks, has never donated blood before, but after speaking with Al Whitney, an Avon Lake native, she decided to go for it. "Mr. Whitney kind of inspired me," Devon said. "He wants to donate blood platelets in all 50 states and said it's really easy to save lives. That's the main thing that made me want to do it. Mr. Whitney told me you are saving three people with your blood, but it's really like helping 30 people if you count their family and friends." Whitney, who is a regular customer at Suzin L. Chocolatier, where Devon works, was featured in the 'Chronicle' in June issue for his blood donation efforts. He started giving blood in 1965 and soon after, began organizing regular blood drives at Lake Shore United Methodist. So far, Whitney has donated 636 platelet units in 29 states.

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Up coming Events: 6th September - LUCY DAY 2009 Annual Day Programme - Seminar on Blood donation & Donor Motivation; annual convocation to honour blood donors and donor organisers. Venue : B. T. College, New Barrackpur. Exhibition 10th-11th October - Venue : B. T. College, New Barrackpur, 12-4 p.m. in association with science organization Discovery. Topic : a) Eye donation b) Blood donation c) Thalassaemia d) HIV/AIDS Festive campaign 24th-28th September & 16th-20th October Campaign in Puja Pandals promoting Blood donation, Eye donation, Intervention on Thalassaemia & HIV/AIDS. Project SMILE : 22nd August - Health & Dental Check-up. 20th September - Puja Gift Distribution 24th October - Eye Check up. 1st November - Sit & Draw. 14th November - Children's Day Celebration. 22nd November - Educational Evaluation. LUCY BLOOD : 20th September - Workshop on Preparation of IEC Material. 1st October - National Blood Donation Day. Campaign in Medical Colleges & Nandan premise - Fliers distribution, Outdoor Signature campaign & candle light procession to promote voluntary blood donation. 11th October - Festive Camp. Venue : Nababikash, Shyambazar. 8th November - Seminar. Topic : 'History of Blood Transfusion'. Venue : Organization Office. Red Ribbons: 9th August - Seminar Topic : Facts & Myth of HIV/AIDS. Venue : Organization's Office. 29th November - Workshop. Topic : HIV/ AIDS-intervention of Truckers. Venue : Organization's Office. International 14th-18th November - XX Regional Congress of the ISBT Asia. National 25th-27th December - National Workshop and Assembly of Voluntary Blood Donors organizations & Motivators. Organized by TYAGA Burla, Orissa. 23rd-25th January 2010 - National Meet with International Participants on Donor Motivation and Recruitment. Organized by AVBD, West Bengal. State 9th-11th October -23rd State Conference of Volunteers devoted to Blood Donor Movement. Organized by: Khirpai Nabarun Social Welfare Organization. Venue: Khirpai Town Hall.

BLOOD COLLECTION IN INDIA 2008 Sl. no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Name of State/ UT All India A & N Islands Andhra Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Assam Bihar Chandigarh Chhatisgarh Dadra & Nagar Haveli Daman & Diu Delhi Goa Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir Jharkhand Karnataka Kerala Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Orissa Pondicherry Punjab Raiasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Tripura Uttar Pradesh Uttaranchal West Bengal

Total Collection 5457611 4780 558000 2653 85582 60772 56000 26861 3327 720 255641 7171 483163 1 30022 11044 36037 76456 346458 243700 133591 789718 15190 4504 15823 4745 120259 15659 235485 266102 1843 410948 24607 314572 40857 675321

Voluntary Blood Collection 3393695 1937 484925 2332 33756 15762 44443 9375 1694 674 90413 5598 337057 46679 8877 15408 22869 202790 62581 86659 649780 1518 799 10156 2779 80379 6689 63379 78350 579 331075 21710 55445 16201 601027

% of Voluntary Blood Collection 62.2 40.5 86,9 87.9 39.4 25.9 79.4 34.9 50.9 93.6 35.4 78.1 69.8 35.9 80.4 42.8 29.9 58.5 25.7 64.9 82.3 10.0 17.7 64.2 58.6 66.8 42.7 26.9 29.4 31.4 80.6 88.2 17.6 39.7 89.0 Source NACO

Goal & Objectives of Voluntary Blood Donation Goal To wipe off the scarcity of blood and ensure availability of safe and quality blood and other blood components, round the clock and throughout the year. This will lead to alleviation of human sufferings, even to the far-flung remote areas in the country. Objective : Voluntary blood donation is perhaps one of the most perfect examples of altruism in action. The objective of collecting blood through voluntary blood donation are :  Provide safe and quality blood and blood components collected from voluntary donors, round the clock, at affordable cost to the general public and free of cost to the poor.  Ensure safety and quality of blood.  Motivate and maintain a permanent well-indexed record of voluntary blood donors.  Educating the community on the beneficial aspects of blood donation and harmful effect of collecting blood from paid donors.  Actively encourage voluntary blood donation and gradually eliminate professional blood donors.  Promote AIDS awareness and education to the general public.  Assists the various Organizations, Clubs, Colleges, Public & Private Institutions and the Public to conduct voluntary blood donation drives and arrange for motivational talks to enable progressively increase the number of voluntary nonremunerated blood donors every year.

From the pen of Camp Organizers Biswajit Basak, Abahani Club, Nandan Nagar, Belghoria. I along with some members of our club thought of organizing a "Blood Donation Camp" in our locality, as we never had such a programme in our yearly calendar. We came in contact with "Let Us Care for You (LUCY)" and planned to organize a camp on 3rd May as Parliament election was knocking at the door catalyzing the summer crisis. The camp was arranged in the evening. The morning was sunny but the afternoon was struck with thundershower. We were determined to overcome all odds. The Blood Camp started at 6.30 in the evening. The camp progressed, so also the rain and power cut joined us to worsen the situation. LUCY members present there motivated all the donors. The blood bank officials and LUCY members co-operated with us and made the camp successful with huge turnout. Even though we had some problems initially but there was a big satisfaction in our heart and mind that even without caring the bad weather, we could take atleast one step to save someone's life. Thank You LUCY and we assure you that we would again organize blood donation drive with your support in future.

Dilip Sinha Secretary Sandhani Gosthi. This was our maiden initiative in Sandhani Gosthi. Unaware of the tit-bits we plunged in to organise a blood drive as our social responsibility. Situation worsened when a Forum denied sending a blood collection team to our premise 15 days before the scheduled date though they previously confirmed us to do so 3 months back. There after we approached LUCY. A positive nod from their side relieved us. LUCY people took care of all the logistics, supported us with motivational session and various IEC materials transforming the event into a colourful one. The camp was a huge success. We wish to join hands with LUCY not only in case blood donation but also in other welfare activities.

Published by Biswaroop Biswas, Secretary, Let Us Care for You (LUCY), 30/1/1, Nilmoni Mitra Street, Kolkata - 700006, West Bengal, India, Phone : 9433486773 and Printed by S.P. Trading, Kolkata - 700137 email : [email protected] www.lucy.in