"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

#Blood donation

Star Citizens

Not All Heroes Wear Capes—Some Just Roll Up Their Sleeves!

In a world where acts of selflessness often go unnoticed, Prabhakar Aedunoothala is a living legend of kindness and compassion. With an astounding 84 blood donations under his belt, he’s not just saving lives—he’s igniting a movement! His dedication to helping others has inspired generations to take action. Prabhakar’s journey goes far beyond the blood bank; it’s about making a real difference and inspiring countless others to roll up their sleeves and give back. His story is a powerful reminder that true heroes don’t wear capes—they donate blood and change lives forever.A Life-Changing EncounterIt all began in 2001, when Prabhakar was preparing for the Civil Services examination. While studying, he read an article about thalassemia, a genetic disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin. The article had an  impact on Prabhakar, and he felt it was his duty to help those suffering from the disease.Prabhakar's journey as a blood donor began shortly after reading the article. He started donating blood , and as the years went by, his passion for helping others only grew stronger. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Prabhakar kept going, determined to help. Today,Prabhakar has made 84 selfless blood donations., inspiring countless others to follow in his footsteps. His selfless act has not only helped save numerous lives but has also raised awareness about the importance of blood donation. Prabhakar's remarkable record has earned him the Governor's Award for blood donation four times, in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2015.A Family AffairPrabhakar's commitment to blood donation is not just a personal passion, but a family affair. His wife and elder son, Abhiram, are also  blood donors. In fact, Abhiram recently donated blood alongside his father, making the experience even more special. Prabhakar's younger son, currently in Class 9, is also being encouraged to donate blood once he turns 18.Prabhakar's initiative serves as a shining example  for those in need of blood. His compassion and dedication have inspired many, and his work continues to make a significant impact in the lives of those he has helped.Source: Google ImagesPrabhakar's efforts go beyond just donating blood. He is also committed to raising awareness about the importance of blood donation. He has inspired over 24,000 engineering students to donate blood and is a life member of the Indian Red Cross Society. Prabhakar's message is simple: donating blood is a healthy activity that can save lives.Prabhakar's act of 84  blood donations remind us that true impact isn't measured in grand gestures, but in the quiet power of selfless giving. 

5 Feb 2025
Star Citizens

21,000 km Lifeline: The Man Who Walks to Save Lives

Kiran Verma, a 38-year-old activist from Delhi, is on a mission—a mission that requires him to walk 21,000 km across India and beyond, all to raise awareness about blood donation. This remarkable journey was ignited by a heartbreaking incident in 2016. Verma, who had always been a voluntary blood donor, received a distress call from a stranger in Chhattisgarh, desperately seeking blood for a low-income family. Without hesitation, Verma donated his blood, believing he was saving a life. But what he learned later shattered his faith in the system and altered his life's path.The Turning PointAfter donating blood, Verma discovered that the blood he had given for free was sold to the family for ₹1,500. To make matters worse, the patient’s wife had resorted to prostitution to pay for her husband’s medical expenses. This cruel reality was a harsh wake-up call for Verma. This incident drove him to quit his job and dedicate his life to the cause of free blood donation, vowing to ensure that no one would ever suffer the same fate.Simply Blood: A Vision to Save LivesVerma launched Simply Blood, an Android app and website designed to connect blood donors with those in need. His motto became clear: “Nobody should die waiting for blood; blood should wait to give life.” The app was just the beginning of Verma’s relentless pursuit to make a difference. In 2017, Verma donated blood to Mayank, a young boy at AIIMS, whose dream was to become an engineer. Verma captured the moment, taking photos and videos to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation. But just two months later, Verma received a call that would further solidify his commitment. Mayank’s father informed him that the boy had passed away due to a lack of platelets. Those photos were the last images of Mayank alive. The loss of this young life, and the realization that timely blood donations could have saved him, drove Verma to take even more drastic measures to promote his cause.The 21,000 km MissionOn World Blood Donor Day in 2021, Verma began a new journey—a 21,000 km walk that has taken him across 12 states, 169 districts, and even into Bangladesh. His wife supported him on this noble mission. Verma has covered over 12,000 km on foot so far, overcoming daily challenges like finding food and shelter. “I’ve slept in 5-star hotels and on railway platforms,” Verma recalled. Throughout his journey, Verma has inspired over 27,000 people to donate blood, with around 22,000 donations occurring at organized blood donation camps. His outreach extends to remote villages where blood donation was previously unheard of, sparking newfound awareness and action. In one memorable instance, Verma’s efforts led to four people from a notorious area in Nagpur donating blood at a camp, proving that his message was reaching even the most unlikely places.Verma’s journey has been filled with touching moments that reaffirm his faith in humanity. One such moment occurred in Maharashtra, where a man handed him a 100 rupee note after a talk at a school. Though the amount was small, it was significant because it came from someone with little to give. “Those few bucks were enough to keep my walk going,” Verma shared.Verma envisions a future where the responsibility of promoting blood donation will be carried forward by others inspired by his journey. “I will give my 200% during this walk, and then I will retire. People will take ownership of this cause, and more like me will step up,” Verma stated.Whether through donating blood, encouraging others, or simply spreading awareness, each of us can contribute to saving lives. As Verma puts it, “First of all, donate blood. If you can’t donate, encourage others to do so. And if that’s not possible, at least make people aware of the importance of blood donation. Spread the word.”

19 Aug 2024
Star Citizens

Founder of World’s First Virtual Blood Donation Platform Now Walks for Blood

An incident that shook his life prompted Kiran Verma to quit his job and work for making blood available everywhere. He started the Change with One Foundation, under which he runs two programmes-Simply Blood and Change with One Meal. The first virtual blood donation platform in the world, Simply Blood was launched by Kiran Verma. This platform has saved many lives by arranging real-time connections between blood donors and recipients (just like Uber).  Verma embarked on a 21,000 km walk on December 28, 2021, to raise awareness among the citizens to donate blood. The walk commenced from Thiruvananthapuram and to date, he has crossed 9,500 kilometers and reached Andhra Pradesh. In the course of his walk, Verma set up over 75 blood donation stations across the nation, collecting more than 12,908 units of blood. In addition to the blood donation camps, more than 3000 individual blood donors have given blood in their names at various blood banks in India and overseas. In 2016, Verma sold his blood to a black marketer for Rs 1,500 and later came to know that the woman who collected the blood resorted to prostitution to pay the medical bills of her husband. This incident shook him and then there was no looking back. He made it his mission to make blood easily available for the needy in India. Verma will continue to walk till December 31, 2025, coaxing people to donate blood and save lives.

5 Dec 2022
Star Citizens

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