Media Release
Mangaluru, June 16: The Blood Centre of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital (YMCH), Deralakatte, commemorated World Blood Donor Day 2025 with a vibrant programme at the EMD Auditorium, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) campus.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Khathija Dilshad MP, District TB & AIDS Control Officer, who delivered an insightful address emphasising the importance of safe blood practices. She stressed the safety of both donors and recipients, noting that while the blood requirement in the district is approximately 1% of the population, collections have impressively reached nearly 3%. However, she pointed out that despite this achievement, shortages still persist as our district is a tertiary care center catering to patients from neighbouring districts and states.
Dr Khathija urged for greater community involvement, encouraging every individual to motivate their family and friends to voluntarily donate blood at least four times a year. She also elaborated on the health benefits of regular blood donation, both for the donor and the recipient.
Following this, Dr Habib Rahaman AA, medical superintendent of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, addressed the audience. He highlighted the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donation, underlining its significance on this day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner (14 June 1868 - 26 June 1943), the Austrian scientist who discovered the ABO blood group system.
He emphasised that “blood is irreplaceable — only blood can replace blood.” Dr Rahaman also discussed the myths and misconceptions prevalent in India surrounding blood donation, such as fears of weakness or the belief that women cannot donate. He called for increased public awareness to debunk these myths and promote active community participation in voluntary blood donation efforts.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr Vidya Rekha R Kamath, chief of the YMCH Blood Centre, who extended greetings to the dignitaries, guests, and participants. As part of the event, the Blood Centre’s Annual Report for the calendar year 2024 was presented, showcasing the achievements, donor statistics, and milestones of the year. A pledge-taking ceremony was conducted, reaffirming the commitment of attendees to the cause of voluntary blood donation and ensuring safe transfusion practices.
One of the key highlights of the celebration was the felicitation of blood donor organisations, who were honoured for their selfless and consistent contribution to the noble cause of saving lives through blood donation.
Additionally, prizes were distributed to the winners of various competitions conducted for students, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation among the younger generation. In the run-up to the main event, a Voluntary Blood Donation Week was observed from June 9 to 15, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from donors and volunteers across the region.
The programme concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Dr Vidya Rekha R Kamath, expressing gratitude to all the supporters, organisers, and participants. The celebration truly reflected the Blood Centre’s ongoing commitment to promoting safe blood donation and recognising the invaluable role of voluntary blood donors.