Yesterday I spent the morning running back and forth to the bloodbank. No, I am well and yes, very well.   The morning was not about me, but about Kishan, one of my boys at Sailakui. He just got diagnosed with Thalassemia. Unknown to you? Well it was to me except that I had seen the word before.

Thalassemia, “an abnormality causing anemia.” It means that a person just runs himself down with no inert ability to restore himself naturally through diet and  good care. Blood transfusion becomes the only solution and that, a regularly needed solution! So, coming back to yesterday morning, running back and forth to the bloodbank, opened up a whole new understanding of where blood comes from. Okay, so I do know that it is produced in our bone marrow and that our body is constantly producing more all the time! But the BANK! is what amazed me. IMA BloodBank of Uttarakhand, is a service provided by the Indian Medical Association, the largest N.G.O. of our country.

I am there, in this huge big shiny new building feeling somewhat overwhelmed and insignificant. Have I brought enough money and would they have A+?  I am very conscious of a desperate need of blood for one who is so close to me. I am in need of something which I can’t just buy in a shop. It is a precious commodity, one that is specific in it’s details and one that is not always available. The doctor reads the slip from the hospital and informs me that as Kishan is diagnosed with Thalassemia, his organisation would provide his needed supply free of cost! I feel tears welling up inside of me. Appreciation, surprise, disbeleif! Why would they do that for us? Who are the ones who gave it freely so that we can get it freely?

I used to donate often when I lived in Israel, especially during the war in 73.  But, having had hepatitis many years ago bloodbanks refuse my donation making me dependent on their generousity and goodness. That I find difficult not wanting to be in someones debt, yet feeling incredibly in debt and thankful!

So I expect that I will become a regular vistor to the IMA, and I trust that I keep being thankful for every month that Kishan is able to leave his bed and go back to the football field because some unknown benefactor has given 30 minutes of their time to donate their life giving gift. Kishan gets blood and strength, I lose a morning but gain a new perspective on life and the value of another month.

Post by - ken