According to WHO data for 2010, India has faced a shortage of 3 million blood units the same year. This shortage could have been eliminated if an additional 2% of India’s youth would have donated blood. To make this possible, BloodConnect acts as a channel connecting voluntary blood donors with those who need blood. It is an NGO that provides free help in organizing blood donation camps and works especially to target the poor and the needy.
Introduction about BloodConnect: BloodConnect is a non-profitable student initiative started in 2010 in IIT Delhi with the sole purpose of tackling the problem of blood shortage in India. As it being India’s largest student initiatives in this field, BloodConnect has saved more than 30,000 lives so far through camps and help lines. The team comprises a little over 60 students from various colleges across Delhi, including IIT Delhi, DTU and DU colleges like Hansraj College, JMC, LSR, NLU Jodhpur etc. who volunteer up to 200 hours per week. BloodConnect is working for an objective – “To focus on not only on saving lives but also on making every youth aware of his role in tackling the shortage of blood in this country. The ultimate vision is to create a country where safe blood is available at the right blood bank, at the right time, all across India.”
Having successfully completed 3 years we did a little excerpt with team blood connect.
Ssbcrack- Your initiative has successfully completed 3 years. How does it feel?
Blood connect team-We are so touched and overwhelmed with the response we have got in last 3 years. We want to thank each and everyone who has been a part of this journey. We have come a long way and yet have a far way to go and we continue to hope to get the same love and support in the future.
Ssbcrack-What are the different processes your team uses to deal with the shortage of blood?
Blood connect team-BloodConnect has three main aspects: Help lines, Blood donation camps and awareness sessions. In help lines, the organization acts as a channel connecting voluntary blood donors with those who need blood. In the past 3 years, over 600 people have been helped in times of emergency.
Since its inception, the organization has grown a lot in terms of working for this cause. BloodConnect has developed a 360 degree solution to the problem of blood shortage. The model revolves around 3 focal points:
- Ensuring continuous, sufficient blood supply to blood banks through blood donation camps and weekly donations
- Improving awareness by organizing Street Plays, Informative Talks and Conversations, and Competitions
- And lastly helping those in dire need by operating an emergency 24×7 helpline.
Ssb crack-What help do you think our youth can do to eradicate this shortage of blood?
Blood connect team-An informed 18 year old youth can donate up to 120-160 times in his entire lifetime. Shortage of blood in the nation can be eradicated if 2% of the youth of India donates once a year. BloodConnect aims to harness this potential of the youth by giving them the power to bring a positive change in this society.
Ssbcrack-Tell us about your recent camp and the response?
Blood connect team-The most recent camp was held on 18th of November 2013 with Shiv Nadar University, near Gautam Budh Nagar. This camp was in association with Ram Manohar Lohia hospital (RML). Having its first blood donation camp with BloodConnect, the camp was well published and thus resulted in a fantastic response from the students. Out of a 150 registrations, 110 students successfully donated the magic liquid. The college faculty and students’ body was very supportive and were equally involved with the camp organisation aspect.
Ssbcrack-How can youth reach to you?
Blood connect team-We always work to strengthen our organization and the youth can be a great help. Volunteers are the real strength of our organization and we want more Enthusiastic and Cooperative people in our team. Anyone who wants to contribute for any cause related to blood donation can log on to our website (
http://www.bloodconnect.org/) to know more about our future events or you can follow us on our Facebook page at Blood Connect.
Ssbcrack vision – We want our country to become a developed nation and wish to contribute to our defence forces through our varied programs. Therefore, we call for those young aspiring minds that are keen to serve the country; people who want to lead our country, to support such organizations in this fight of shortage of blood for those who are on warfronts or in immediate need of this Red Liquid.
