COIMBATORE: He was as young as 14 when he first donated blood. In 2019, Dinesh Kumar Bhandia of Coimbatore is one of three individuals from the textile city who have donated blood more than 100 times. Today’s blood donation was his 129th offer.
“Way back in 1982, the first time I donated blood, age was not a criteria to so. I satisfied all the medical parameters and since then on, I have always tried to ensure that I do so once in every three months.” his face beams with joy as he says this. As per his calculations, of donating blood once in three months, he tells us that he should have donated blood 140 times till date. “Due to health issues and some unavoidable circumstances, there were times when I was unable to donate blood.” he said.
On World Blood Donors Day on Friday, Dinesh tells us that besides being an active donor, himself he has motivated several individuals including the physically challenged to donate blood. In a bid to bridge the gap between the demand for blood with supply, Dinesh founded the ‘All India Blood Donors Group’ in 2011.
The group has a pan-India presence and has about 25,000 active blood donors as its members. Very active on Facebook, several patients from across India are beneficiaries.
