National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is observed every year on October 1 to recognise the invaluable contribution of voluntary blood donors in saving lives. The observance also promotes regular voluntary blood donation and encourages public participation to help maintain a safe, adequate and sustainable blood supply.
This year’s theme is “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” To mark the occasion, two voluntary blood donation camps were organised. The first was held at the Blood Centre, Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, in association with CRPF Battalions 13 and 51.
The second camp was organised by the CISF unit at the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat. Dr. Suman Singh, Director, Health and Family Welfare, U.T. Chandigarh, inaugurated the camp and felicitated regular blood donors, thanking them for their invaluable gift of life.
She highlighted the need for regular voluntary donors and community participation—Jan Bhagidari—to organise blood donation camps and maintain an adequate blood supply. This helps save the lives of patients suffering from severe anaemia, cancer, thalassaemia, and those requiring care following childbirth or accidents.
Under the supervision of Dr. Simerjit Kaur Gill, In-charge, Blood Centre, GMSH-16, 60 units of blood were collected from voluntary donors for patients in need.