Turning grief into hope: Woman leads way in blood donation in Sirsa district
On the World Blood Donor Day, the inspiring story of Usha Nain from Kharian village in Sirsa district stands out as a shining example of how personal pain can be turned into a mission of compassion. Six years ago, Usha’s younger sister Indubala was fighting for her life at a private hospital in Gurugram. Doctors needed blood for her surgery, but Usha and her family struggled to find a donor. After much effort, they managed to get the required blood, but Indubala eventually lost her battle with cancer. This heart breaking experience deeply affected Usha, and she promised herself that no one else should suffer due to unavailability of blood.
Since 2020, Usha has been organising blood donation camps every year on her sister’s death anniversary. She not only donates blood herself, but also spreads awareness about its importance, especially in the rural areas. Through these camps, she pays tribute to her sister while saving lives of countless strangers. So far, she has organised over five blood donation drives at her village and actively participate in them.
Born in a farmer’s family, Usha has faced many personal losses. Out of her four siblings, one brother and one sister have passed away, and her father is also no more. Despite these challenges, Usha remains committed to social causes. She regularly visits temples, schools and community events to motivate women to donate blood. In collaboration with Bhagat Singh Youth Club, she has reached out to hundreds of villagers and helped dispel myths surrounding blood donation. Many rural women now contact her to learn more and overcome their fears about donating blood.
Usha’s experience while working as an ASHA coordinator under the National Health Mission further strengthened her resolve. She observed that many rural, especially married women suffer from low haemoglobin levels and are often reluctant to donate. Through years of outreach, she has worked to change this mind set. Usha also served for nine years as a social activist and trainer with the Women and Child Development Department. Today, she continues to work with several organisations raising her voice against issues like female foeticide, domestic violence and drug abuse.
Sirsa district has five main blood banks, located at the Civil Hospital Sirsa, Dabwali Civil Hospital, Shiv Shakti Blood Centre, Vardan Blood Centre and Shah Satnam Ji Specialty Hospital. These centres collect around 7,200 units of blood annually and provide it free of cost to patients in government hospitals. Over 40 local social and religious organisations also host regular blood donation drives.
Usha’s mission is shared by many in Sirsa. Taranjeet Kaur from Preet Nagar has donated blood 50 times. Her first donation saved a woman during childbirth when even her own family refused to help. Atmaram, a staff member at Shah Satnam Ji Hospital’s eye bank, has donated blood 80 times, including 59 platelet donations. Dr Ankita, a schoolteacher from Ward No. 11, who has donated blood 35 times, encourages girls in her school to do the same. Sandeep Bajaj, a mobile phone shop owner, has been donating blood since 2007. He has donated blood 54 times. Sunita Verma, a general duty assistant at the district Civil Hospital, has donated blood 15 times. She helps female patients understand the importance of blood donation.
Haryana Tribune