What inspired Altamash to donate blood

My dear family and friends, I know there are quite a few donors among you and I am writing this post today to play my small role in this great donation. Hoping that my post can motivate my donor friends to become regular donors if they can Insha-Allah (God-Willing).

Approximately couple of weeks after my blood donation on 18th April 2017, a notification appeared on my New Zealand Blood Service app, NZ Blood, "Congratulations, your recent donation was used to save a life." (not exact text, but something on those lines)...I can't describe the feeling as soon as I read the notification. Though I have donated blood quite a number of times, both back in India and in New Zealand, but the recent donation became special to me and I would say a life changing event. Quite humbled that The Almighty, Allah (s.w.t), God, Bhagwan (by whatever synonym you want to refer) gave me the opportunity that I was able to make a voluntary donation and then blessed me in the way that the donation being used to save a life.

My blood donation journey started back in year 2003, in India.

My first donation (special being the first) was as a reserve for someone (details left out intentionally) who was undergoing a heart surgery. I received a call from my family member that one of their friends require reserve blood for the surgery and if I can find out with people around me and arrange for four units. Initially I started talking to my classmates and my seniors in hostel if they know of any donors who can donate blood. It wasn't until of the seniors from Medicine faculty enlightened me that even I can donate. Myself and three other classmates casually reached hospital, nervous and don't know much about what to expect during & post donation as it was our first donation. Met the younger son (who is of same age as myself and we were sort of friends) of the patient..... introduced my three classmates, handshakes and thanking ensued... he inquired who is the fourth donor as four units were required, I said "Me"...without saying a word he hugged me and couple of tears rolled from our eyes...after paperwork and all, we were on donation chairs...around 10 or 15 minutes machine gave a long beep and stopped oscillating, nurse came and pulled the needle out and my reaction was "Is it done?! with a surprised look" (Had that perception of blood donation scenes from movies...). A couple of days after, we were notified that operation was successful and the patient went on to make a full recovery. Met him after a few months when I visited my home city...surely the prayers and blessings of the old gentleman and his family are still with us.

Second donation was at the same hospital approximately after a year for same reasons but this time one of our juniors called upon for a few donors for surgery of his close relative...I was part of 8 units of blood required as reserve.

Third donation is also quite close to me and I can never forget it...In 2005 I came across website of Indian Blood Donors (http://www.indianblooddonors.com) and casually registered myself as a donor thinking let's see if I can be of help to someone and if this service really works. I remember it was a Friday afternoon (though I don't remember the date exactly), I was in office (in Noida) when I received a text message from Indian Blood Donors that "A patient in Apollo Hospital requires 2 units of "B -ve" blood (yes I am one of those 2% people in the whole world), please acknowledge and contact Mr. Aggarwal on this number if you can donate one unit". To be honest initially I didn't quite believe the text and put if away to reply after leaving office around 7:30 pm (Yes, I work in IT )...around 8pm I called on the number provided in text message and inquired about the details...sure enough it was a genuine text message and the requirement was urgent. I asked by when they needed the blood and reply was "by tomorrow" ...wow, what a coincidence (or the perfect plan of The Almighty)...I had plans to meet my hostel friends in Delhi on Saturday and Apollo Hospital was on the way...10am on Saturday, I reached the blood donation room of Apollo Hospital, gave them the details of the patient and donation procedure followed. Once everything was done, I was informed by a nurse and requested to wait as patients family wanted to meet me...not sure if I was quite ready to see them and what the reactions would be, but I obliged...5 minutes later a gentleman (same Mr. Aggarwal with whom I had a chat on phone, probably same age as myself) and his mother came to meet me. They were so thankful, as I mentioned, I wasn't quite sure how to react and I didn't had a lot of words to say really...but we parted with these words from the lady "beta, hum tumhare bahut aabhari hain aur tumhare liye dua karenge" (Son, we are grateful to you and will pray for you.)

From there on, whenever I got a chance I made donations with latest three donations in New Zealand..... first one through Imamia Medics International (New Zealand Chapter) and Insha-Allah (God-Willing) more to come if The Almighty grants me this blessed opportunity again and again...Amen!!

So my dear family and friends...if you have donated blood previously, try to make it a regular habit of if you haven't donated blood yet, give it go (if your health permits) and you will feel that amazing feeling which comes along.

Share the World Blood Donors Day campaigns from your local area, donate today (if you can), spread the word and save lives.

Peace and Blessings

Remember in your prayers!