TORONTO – The message from the ‘champion blood donor couple’ from Punjab, India is clear – give blood so that someone can live.
Balwant Singh Sandhu and his wife Jaswant Kaur Sandhu, who visited Canada recently, have devoted almost a life time in its pursuit, and the awards and recognition have come naturally, not the result of a deliberate plan. They are aware that people either run away from their responsibilities or they are just too lazy to make the effort. “Patient’s son/daughter/relatives do not donate blood for him. Some times some persons who take birth in the society for helping others who even are not in their close relations,” they point out. That is why they want to set an example for others to dispel to motivate and then dispel certain superstitions surrounding blood donations. The Sandhus’ achievement entered the Limca Book of Records, as “Most Blood Donations By A Couple” in 2004. On their twenty-third Marriage Anniversary in 2003, with the consent of their children they also willed that their bodies after death to the Anatomy Department of P.G.I. for further use in research and educational purpose so that in future medical Students may get benefit of research. The Sandhus have donated blood for 69 times. The noble tradition continues with their children, son Amandeep Sandhu (31 times) and daughter Sandeep Sandhu (30 times).
This blood donor family had donated total 199 units weighing 80 litre for the service of mankind.
After shifting to Mohali, Smt. Jaswant Kaur established “Baba Sheikh Farid Blood Donors Council (Regd.) Mohali”. This council has organized 105 blood donation camps at various places at Chandigarh, Mohali and even in nearby villages and approximately more than 14000 Blood Units have been collected for Blood Bank of P.G.I., Govt Medical College and Hospital and General Hospital Sector 16, Chandigarh for needy patients. During Blood Donation Camps about 4000 people filled Eye Donation Forms for those people who need eyes to see. Because of damage of cornea, this is hope for restoration of Eye sight through cornea grafting.
