On World Blood Donors Day, Preity Zinta says it’s time we get over our fears and save lives instead

Did you know that the annual demand for blood is 6 million units per year and only about 3 million units get collected? Or that less than 5 percent of the eligible population volunteers to donate? Or that scarcity of blood alone is responsible for the highest mortality rate of victims of accidents or burns, or of patients undergoing heart or organ transplant surgeries, or receiving treatment for cancer, hemophilia and similar afflictions? Research has thrown up an unbelievable finding - that many of us do not donate blood because we are actually scared to do so! Some of us hesitate for fear of the needle, some because they fear contracting some disease and others because they fear that it will make them weaker. And not a single fear is true.

Many of us do not donate blood because we just can’t be bothered. The only time that blood donation becomes a priority for an individual, is when he or she is faced with an emergency and blood is the only thing that can save a dear one’s life.

Yet, blood and the lack of it, is the single biggest cause of death in this country!
That’s why I have chosen to contribute to India’s growth…so that a daughter can have a father, or a brother have a sister or a mother a child! The more blood all of us donate, the more we will have healthy people, who can make our future growth a long lasting certainty.

Blood donation needs only 25 minutes of time and has no effect on the pocket. It can be safely donated every 90 days and each unit you donate is replaced by your body within 24 hours to a week.

I’ve donated blood many times in the past. Earlier as a response to an emergency call and then last year when I became the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Ambassador and we began the blood donation movement at Delhi. 

It feels really good - giving blood - not because I have to, but because I want to. Because I believe that I am doing something worthwhile. 

And here is the most compelling reason of all - the one pint of blood that you donate  can save four lives. What better returns!
India is calling, where are you?

(The actress will be at Mithibai College campus conducting the Godfrey Phillips Blood Donation drive between 10 and 5 today.)