iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of India, the physicians of Indian origin serving every 7th patient in the United States launched this unique and noble initiative and Stem Cell Drive” in 75 cities across the United States.
Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, the new President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI,) said, “I am grateful to the dozens of local AAPI Chapters who have initiated and organized Blood Donation Drives and Stem Cell Registration across the nation, in honor of the Fallen Heroes of Covid-19, and as India is celebrating 75 years of our Independence, we have taken this initiative to do National AAPI Blood Donation Drives in 75 cities.”
The launch event of the Blood Drive was organized in Chicago on August 7th under the leadership of Dr. Meher Medavaram, Chair of AAPI’s Blood Donation Initiative.
Dozens of local AAPI Chapters initiated and organized the ‘Blood Donation Drives and Stem Cell Registration’ across the nation, in honor of the ‘Fallen Heroes of Covid-19’ according to a press release from AAPI.
Dr. Ravi Kolli, President-Elect of AAPI urged everyone to donate blood and become “heroes and life savers” and part of humanity as “one family, Vasudhaiva Kutubakam.”
A single donation can save three lives, Dr. Medavaram said, noting that blood is needed every two seconds.
Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused in the U.S. every year, the press release noted.
While not everyone is able to donate blood, Dr. Gotimukula pointed out that only 37 percent of the country’s population is able to donate blood. On why she and the AAPI leadership chose this as a priority, Dr. Gotiumuka said, “The 3rd Covid Wave is causing increased ICU admissions again. There is a dire need for blood. Your friends or family may need blood some day. And this noble cause helps save many lives.”
Several other leaders of AAPI, including Dr. Kusum Punjabi the chair of Board of Trustees of AAPI, Dr. Anjana Samadder, vice president of AAPI, said, who herself has experienced the ordeal with Covid -19, Dr. Satheesh Kathula, secretary of AAPI, an oncologist keenly aware of the national blood shortage, and Dr. Krishan Kumar, treasurer of AAPI all stressed the need to come forward and donate blood
