Celebrating a Lifesaver:

The Impact of One Woman’s Dedication on World Blood Donor Day

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s World Health Organization organization recognition of World Blood Donor Day—a day where we honor the profound impact a single donation can have on the lives of a patient in need.

?Each year we celebrate not just the donors who supply an irreplaceable medicine to those in need, but also the tireless organizers who ensure blood drives are possible. Among these unsung heroes is Baby P.S., BABY PS an extraordinary associate in Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies’ Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala location who has dedicated her career to organizing thousands of blood drives, touching countless lives worldwide.

?Before Baby’s journey began at Terumo more than 35 years ago, she was unfamiliar with the critical shortage of blood in hospitals and the importance of voluntary blood donation. About a decade after joining Terumo, she was tasked with promoting voluntary blood donations. In India, locating safe blood is often left to a patient’s relative or friends. On many days when needs were severe, Baby would receive calls from patients’ relatives seeking help in arranging blood and she would contact volunteers with the required blood type and serve as a link between them and the patients.

?Since 1999, Baby has organized regular donation drives with the support of voluntary blood donors—often her colleagues—which helps blood centers maintain a safe supply. The purpose of these drives is to motivate people to donate blood and engage in social work. These activities ensure timely blood donations in emergencies and routine requirements.

?In total, Baby has organized approximately 3,807 blood drives. While no math equation could possibly calculate the exact impact of those donations, the life-saving potential of a single donation is well known. Even if that math were possible, we know that Baby’s efforts extend far beyond immediate collection results. The blood drives she has organized supported hospitals during critical shortages, provided life-saving blood to accident victims, and also inspired others to take up the mantle of blood donation and organization.

World Blood Donor Day is a celebration of every donor’s selflessness, but it is also a tribute to individuals like Baby, who work behind the scenes to make these life-saving donations possible. Her story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s dedication can ripple through communities, reaching across borders and impacting lives globally. When asked what motivates her to keep going after 35 years at Terumo, she summarized the altruism that World Blood Donor Day was created 20 years ago to recognize.

?“I find that doing something kind for someone else can put a smile on their face,” she said. ?“Even when we are not feeling our best, acts of kindness can help us feel better about ourselves and the world around us.”

?On this World Blood Donor Day, let us recognize and celebrate the organizers, the volunteers, and the donors who collectively contribute to the noble cause of saving lives. Let us also consider how we can support these vital efforts. Whether by donating blood, volunteering at drives, or spreading awareness about the need for donations, each action contributes to a larger mission of ensuring safe blood for all.