Our progress as a civilization took a huge leap when we discovered the power of healing and caring for one another. Anthropologist Margaret Mead cited this as one of the earliest signs of a civilized society. Helping someone through difficulty is what makes us human. For some, it becomes a way of life, like it did for Dr. Prasun Bhattacharya, a healthcare expert who has donated blood 130 times thus far. Dr. Prasun is the Head of Department, Transfusion Medicine at Medical College Kolkata. 

Dr. Bhattacharya lives by the belief that each person healthy enough to donate blood should become a lifelong blood donor. We are all blood donors. We only need to make the journey to the donation center.

We asked Dr. Prasun what makes a Centurion Blood Donor — a person who donates blood 100 times in their lifetime?

The Origin Story

Most of us who have donated blood have a clear memory of our first donation. For Dr. Prasun, this memory is particularly vivid. It was 20 years ago when he donated blood to a patient in critical need. At that time, voluntary donation was not widely prevalent, but Dr. Prasun's blood group matched the patient's, qualifying him to volunteer as a donor. Inspired by his father's example, he decided to donate blood.

The very next day, Dr. Prasun witnessed his blood being used to help the patient. This experience profoundly impacted him, shaping how he viewed his own health for years to come. Knowing that his blood donation played a crucial role in the patient's recovery highlighted the life-changing power of a simple act of giving. Since then, Dr. Prasun has become an advocate for regular blood donation, sharing his story with everyone he meets and encouraging others to donate. He has never looked back.

Blood Donation: A Gift that Keeps on Giving

Dr. Prasun believes that the decision to donate blood has a ripple effect through communities. “As a donor, you are able to bring change, not only to a patient’s life, but also to the mindset of those around.” This inclination to donate blood influenced his family, who started following in his footsteps. His wife and son, too, have become regular blood donors, giving blood not just in times of a person’s emergency medical need, but as a sustained, long-term habit.

But what ensures individuals reach the blood donation clinics regularly? Dr. Prasun believes that this requires people to adopt blood donation as a part of their lives. While donating blood in times of someone’s need is of great significance, what can truly move the needle is for each healthy person to make blood donation a regular practice and an integral part of their life. This will not only help meet the country’s demand for blood, but also influence more people to participate in donation, and keep each other accountable and committed to the common cause of giving blood to save lives.

Thus, blood donation may begin as an individual’s choice, but it has the power to evolve into a collective movement of like-minded people willing to donate blood as a shared responsibility. However, the process of donating blood may involve certain challenges, and addressing these can help to expand the nation’s community of donors. As a long-term donor and as a transfusion medicine specialist, Dr. Prasun has valuable insights on overcoming these barriers and boosting blood donation as a practice among the country’s citizens. 

How Better Donor Experience is Changing the Blood Donation Story

Many people are nervous to visit a medical set-up or be part of a clinical process. An active effort to make the blood donation environment soothing, through a comfortable room temperature and calming music, will help reduce the anxiety associated with blood donations and encourage more people to join the pool of donors.

In some parts of the world, emerging innovations in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are contributing to making blood donation a more relaxing experience. Immersive mixed-reality technology helps ease donor stress so healthcare workers can safely conduct the donation and interact with donors through the process. It has the potential to encourage the younger generation to become donors.

Walking the Last Mile

We asked a seasoned blood donor how he sees the next generation pass on and continue this act of giving.

“Today, young people are more aware and willing to donate blood,” he says. However, while they may have the desire to donate, the inconvenience of finding and traveling to a donation center, unconducive weather conditions, or finding a company may deter them from reaching the blood donation clinic. To overcome this challenge, Dr. Prasun reminds us to focus on the larger purpose and intent of donation and look beyond these minor inconveniences.

“The experience of donating blood can vary from one center to another, and across different parts of the country. The goal is what matters — you are helping someone heal. When that becomes your motivation, you are able to tide over anything that may seem unpleasant about the process.” 

Unintended Consequences Getting the Best of Health

While Dr. Prasun’s primary motivation has always been to save lives, he has discovered that leading the life of a blood donor has made him more disciplined. He feels more responsible towards his health and accountable towards the cause. “I am more conscious about being healthy and maintaining my fitness, so that I can continue donating blood.” In his opinion, this motivation is another aspect that can urge people to take up regular donations.

That said, there is no other driving force as powerful as the idea of gifting someone life, according to Dr. Prasun. To him, every pint of blood donated represents hope, and the power of an individual to create extraordinary impact. He has made a lifelong commitment to this journey, with selfless humility and gratitude for being able to make a difference, one drop at a time.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.