V.V.S. Lakshman & Sangita Reddy join the ‘5K Walk’ to encourage blood donation

Cricketer V.V.S. Laxman flagged off the ‘5K Walk’ organised by ISBTI (Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology - AP Chapter); Apollo Hospitals & friends2support.orq, to raise awareness on voluntary blood donation on the occasion of 'World Blood Donors' Day' – 14th June, at Jubilee Hills. He later joined the walk along with Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Apollo Hospitals Group and over five hundred participants including school kids, from KBR Park Main Gate, Banjara Hills to Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills on Saturday. The theme of this year’s World Blood donation day is "Safe blood for saving mothers."

Speaking on the occasion Laxman said, in a medical emergency we run from pillar to post for fetching blood units, this is due to severe shortage of blood units. Healthy adults can donate blood three times a year, donating blood doesn't affect our health, blood donation is safe, he said. He advised people to come forward and donate blood to overcome the severe deficit of blood units. One donation can help save lives of up to three people, he added.

Sangita Reddy said, there is at least 20% shortage of blood units in Andhra Pradesh, this can be overcome with more people coming forward to donate blood. One can donate blood once in every 3 to 4 months time, the donated blood gets replenished in the body no time. The standard blood banks adopt best practices to draw blood from donors, which is safe and healthy, she added. It is essential we raise awareness about voluntary blood donation, so that more people come forward to donate, Sangita Reddy opined. Apollo Blood Bank she said follows highest standards in preserving blood and main