Ahmedabad: In a city known for its high number of centurion blood donors – individuals who have donated blood more than 100 times – Harish Patel stands out uniquely, having achieved centuries in both blood and platelet donations. Platelets are crucial for patients with low platelet counts, such as those with cancer, dengue, severe infections, or requiring post-operative support.

Dr. Vishwas Amin, head of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) blood bank, noted the rarity of high-frequency platelet donors. Unlike blood donation, which can be done quickly at camps, platelet donation is a need-based activity that takes about three hours. This involves extracting platelets from the bloodstream and returning the remaining blood to the donor, making regular donations more challenging.

For Patel, blood is akin to ‘liquid love,’ a term his spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba used. “I believe our deeds matter more to God than our prayers. Since turning 18, I’ve donated blood every three months, seeing it as a social service and my contribution to humanity,” says Patel, who also organizes weekly blood donation camps for children with thalassemia through his socio-spiritual group. “My wife has donated blood over 75 times, and my children are inspired by us,” he adds.