Voluntary Blood Donation

India could take a leaf out of the Mahbubnagar district model, where 100 percent screening is done to keep a check on thalassemia major births.

Blood transcends all divisions — race, religion, caste, or creed. When a life is at stake, these differences disappear, Mario points out.

Indore-based Ujjwal Lad is the founding member of Rakt Archana, an organisation that has facilitated the donation of more than 21,000 units of blood.