Blood donation drives and rallies marked the World Blood Donor Day celebrations in the city on Wednesday.
Out of the 24,466 units of blood collected this year, donors had contributed 226 units today.
Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao stated that 24,840 units of blood had been used for an estimated 60,000 surgeries in the city over the past year. He urged the youth to voluntarily contribute to the society by donating blood.
Speaking to media persons after donating blood at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) he said, “The GRH is Tamil Nadu’s second largest blood donating bank. Every year, several college students give blood and senior doctors actively take part in the process. I urge all youngsters to participate in the drive as blood is vital and saves lives.”
With measures such as the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme on which ₹ 261 crore has been spent, and the Non-Communicable Diseases programme, the government is doing its bit, he said.
Several students participated in a rally taken out from the Collectorate to the GRH to raise awareness about five blood banks situated at various locations in the city.
Devadoss Multispeciaity hospital (DMH) saw many groups such as Young Indians, Rotary Club of India-Next Gen and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) amalgamate to bust myths about donating blood.
Hema Sathish, Managing Director of Devadoss Multispeciality Hospital said “people who faint once tell several others about their experience. This discourages others. It has scientifically been proven that one does not get particularly weak after donating blood.”
Blood and organ donors help in nation building said Vijaya Darshan Jeevagan, Chair, Young Indians - Madurai Chapter. He was among the first donors at the mobile blood bank stationed at the DMH and said social-networking sites such as Facebook helped in spreading the word.
Anand Bhandari (19), a first-time donor said his contribution to the event was inviting four friends to join him by donating blood.