Ahmedabad: The Patel family of Manekbaug consists of 27 members from an extended family of four brothers and a sister. Impressively, 16 of them have donated blood over 50 times, with four centurions who have given blood more than 100 times! Dr. Maulin Patel, Gujarat’s youngest centurion blood donor, states, “Collectively, we have donated approximately 1,400 units of blood, which amounts to around 630 liters, with each unit containing 450 ml.”
India celebrates National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1, and Ahmedabad stands out as the nation’s blood donation capital, boasting 130 centurion blood donors, including three women. Among these donors, two families have made an exceptional mark by donating over 350 liters of blood. The Patels alone have contributed 1,400 units (630 liters), while the Mavalankar family has given 790 units (356 liters).
Dr. Maulin Patel recounts that his family’s tradition of blood donation began with his uncle Rameshbhai, who was inspired by Satya Sai Baba. Starting in 1985, they primarily aimed to ensure a steady blood supply for children with thalassemia. Rameshbhai himself donated 94 times, and his son Amul has continued the legacy with 103 donations. Dr. Patel also highlights that his sister, Dimple Bhimani, has donated blood 103 times, while their parents, currently residing in the US, are nearing their 100th donation with 98 each. Dimple notes that while women historically did not participate as much, the support of her family and the shared mission of blood donation motivated her to donate regularly.
The Mavalankar family’s blood donation legacy dates back to 1962 when the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established during the Indo-China war to secure blood supplies for the armed forces. Dr. VG Mavalankar, one of the co-founders of the Ahmedabad unit, initiated the family tradition. Today, there are 24 blood donors among the four brothers’ families, with Siddharth Mavalankar leading the way with 180 donations, one of the highest in whole blood donations. Although restricted by the 65-year age cap, Siddharth maintained regular donations for 45 years. The family has five members who have each donated over 50 times, motivated by the desire to ensure a constant supply of blood. Siddharth reflects on how rare it was in 1974 to find regular blood donors, but today, the city’s enthusiasm for blood donation is remarkable.
Mukesh Patel, chairman emeritus of IRCS Ahmedabad, proudly states that the IRCS chapter logo, a lion, reflects the courage of Amdavadis, who have earned the nickname ‘Sherdil’ for their unwavering commitment to blood donation. “Where else would you find so many donors ensuring there’s always enough lifeblood for patients?” he adds.