Patel Family Sets Record with 1,400 Units of Blood Donated Over Four Decades

The Patel family, spanning three generations, has donated an impressive 1,400 units of blood over 40 years. With four members having donated over 100 times each, they have significantly contributed to blood banks, particularly for thalassemia patients. Their journey began inspired by a message from Sathya Sai Baba in 1985.

In an extraordinary act of community service, the Patel family, consisting of 27 members, has collectively donated nearly 1,400 units (630 litres) of blood over the last four decades, according to family member Dr Maulin Patel.

At 44, Dr Maulin Patel is the youngest 'centurion' blood donor in Gujarat. Notably, National Voluntary Blood Donation Day was observed on October 1, highlighting their achievements.

Spanning three generations, 16 members of the Patel family have each donated blood more than 50 times. Dr Patel's parents, Ashok (72) and Shakuntala (71), who have each donated 98 times, recently travelled to the US to continue their donations, circumventing India's age limit restrictions.

The family's tradition began in 1985 when Ramesh Patel, inspired by Sathya Sai Baba's message that "blood is liquid love," organized a major blood donation camp to aid thalassemia patients. This event set the foundation for the family's ongoing contribution to blood donation.

Now, every three months, the Patel family organizes blood donation camps, inviting friends and relatives to participate. Ramesh Patel, now 76, has donated blood 94 times, pausing only due to age and health concerns.

The Patel family's commitment has been recognized by Mukesh Patel, chairman emeritus of the Ahmedabad Red Cross, who praised their contribution amid India's broader blood donation movement that began in 1963.

(With inputs from agencies.)