Early Times Report
Jammu/Srinagar, Dec 5: HDFC Bank will hold a nationwide Blood Donation Campaign on Friday December 7, 2012. The blood drive, which is one of India's largest single-day donation campaigns, will cover 572 cities across India. People in these locations can donate blood between 9 am and 5 pm, in any one of the 974 designated centres set up by the bank. The Bank has tied up with major hospitals and blood banks across these cities for technical assistance.
For the first time blood donation camps will be set up in colleges among other centres as the bank looks to the country's young people to help make safe blood available to those in need. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) India needs approximately 12 million units of blood every year. A shortage of this valuable resource has a major impact on victims of road traffic accidents and trauma victims, women with complicated pregnancies, children suffering from thalassemia, and people undergoing major surgeries.
This is the sixth consecutive year that HDFC Bank has conducted this campaign. The Bank started this initiative in 2007 when over 4000 volunteers came forward for this cause. Since then the camp has grown in size and stature. In 2011, collection had jumped ten-fold to touch over 40,000 units from 4000 units in the first year.
"It is heartening to know that with each passing year more and more people are eager to be a part of this life-saving campaign. This year the campaign is moving into colleges to create awareness and encourage our country's youth to participate in this important drive. Together we can bridge the gap in demand and supply of safe blood. Please join us in this noble mission to maintain safe and stable blood supply by making an appointment to donate blood on Friday," said Bhavesh Zaveri, Country Head, Operations & Cash Management Product, HDFC Bank. The camps are being organised at HDFC Bank Ltd, Bahu Plaza Jammu, HDFC Bank Ltd, Town Hall Road Udhampur, HDFC Bank Ltd, KP Road Anantnag and Sub-district Hospital Akhnoor in J&K. |
