BTFCC Hosts a Blood Drive Alongside the Red Cross

On July, 18th 2020 the Binayatara Foundation Cancer Center in Janakpurdham, Nepal hosted a blood drive in coordination with the Red Cross Janakpurdham Branch. Throughout the day, twenty-four people donated blood with no major complications. Dr. Saurav Karna and Dr. Pamesh Jha from our center were heavily involved in the successful event.

This event is critical because blood donations save lives. Patients of all ages, whether young or old, need blood transfusions for an array of reasons. The donations received can be separated into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets for different uses. In high-income countries such as the United States, blood donation is commonplace. 31.5 out of 1000 people will donate blood routinely in high-income countries. However, in low-income countries such as Nepal, only 5 out of 1000 people will routinely donate blood. Low-income countries typically do not have the necessary supply of blood for patients in need, and we are hoping to be a part of that change in Nepal. Blood donation drives are a critical piece of maintaining the supply of blood needed for our patients, and we hope to make these donation events larger and more frequent. Alongside the Red Cross, we know that it is possible.