Two teenagers in Kerala have done what the government or private health organisations should have done long ago.
Ashwin K and Arun Haridas have developed an exclusive website that provides a blood donors’ directory with comprehensive search options to spot the nearest donor in one’s locality.
The free website, www.keralalifeline.com, was launched on Thursday, on the occasion of World Blood Donors Day.
It took just two months for the 17-year-olds to develop the website. "We had seen relatives of patients fanatically searching for the right donors. Ours is a small initiative to help them out. We want to spread the message that a pint of blood can save a life," said Ashwin, a Class XII from SDA School Thiruvalla (central Kerala).
Registration in the website is voluntary. Donors will have to fill in the online application form. On the first day, more than 300 people filled in the form.
Once registered, their details will be compiled — according to the city or village they live in — so that it will be easier for receivers to identify the correct donor. Anyone above 18 years can register.
Ashwin had a lot of things in common with Arun, a Class XII student of JDS Islam HSS in Kozhikode. Both were web addicts, had many common hobbies and more importantly, shared a dream to do something good for people around them.
{{/usCountry}}Ashwin had a lot of things in common with Arun, a Class XII student of JDS Islam HSS in Kozhikode. Both were web addicts, had many common hobbies and more importantly, shared a dream to do something good for people around them.
{{/usCountry}}"Since the annual exams were over, we were totally free. So we divided the work. It took us 45 days to prepare the interface, research, content development and designing," explained Arun. He said it was the first exclusive blood donors directory.