World blood donor day: Mumbai docs evoke decade-old case to promote platelet donation

Mumbai city news: Doctors from Tata Memorial Hospital say a 14-yr-old girl from Uttar Pradesh died of intracranial haemorrhage owing to the unavailability of a donor

Nearly a decade ago, a 14-year-old cancer patient from Uttar Pradesh died at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) of intracranial haemorrhage owing to the unavailability of a blood donor. The girl was undergoing chemotherapy when her platelet count dropped drastically.

Doctors are hoping the initiative attracts more donors on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day on June 14. (Representational photo)

The incident prompted the doctors to increase awareness about platelet donation through ‘Save A Life’ initiative. Today, the hospital has 4,500 registered donors. Doctors are hoping the initiative attracts more donors on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

“Chemotherapy and cancer cells can kill other dividing cells, including bone marrow, which makes platelets,” said Dr Tushar Vora, associate professor at TMH’s department of medical oncology.

He was one of the doctors associated with the case.

“When platelet count drops below 10,000 per cubic millimeter, it can result in fatality. It was not cancer or lack of finances or treatment, but unavailability of platelets which killed the girl,” Vora added.

Dr Sunil Rajadhyaksha, professor and head of blood transfusion medicine, TMH, said the hospital needs at least 10,000 donors.

He said, “We need 4,000-plus units of platelets annually, of which 2,500 units are donated by self-motivated donors. To meet the rest of its requirement, the hospital reaches out to donors listed in its database. But they may not always be available.”

He added that for nearly 5% of patients, the hospital needs donors immediately. “However, only two donors may turn up after making 10 calls. Platelets have a shelf life of five days. Given the need at TMH, we need donors regularly so that platelets are available round-the-clock,” Rajadhyaksha said.

Donor speaks

Sanjay Bapat, a Dadar resident, has donated platelets 218 times and whole blood 56 times since 1987. “It is satisfying to know that a simple gesture of blood donation helps save lives,” he said.