A silent but potent activity in Dubai is being praised for its life-saving effect as the world observes World Blood Donor Day on June 14. The Kindness Blood Donation Team, which was founded by a smaller group of Indian expats in 2015, has now grown into one of the country’s most effective charity efforts, having saved more than 25 000 life through over 250 payment activities.
A Compassionate Movement
Three Indian expats who are united by a shared sense of social responsibility, Salam Kanyappady, Anwar Wayanad, and Shihab Theruvath, formed the Kindness Blood Donation Team. In an interview with Gulf News, Shihab Theruvath, a worker in Dubai’s health sector, said,” We realised that many people didn’t know how many lives they could save, and even though they knew, many didn’t know where or how to do it consistently.” When we realized we had to do something to make it so that people who wanted to donate actually had the opportunity to do it,” he continued. They began their network in 2015 by using WhatsApp groups based on location, starting with small donation drives, and then gradually expanding it. By bridging the gap between blood demand and availability, these organizations made it simpler to find donors quickly. People’s work schedules frequently prevented them from giving. We organized campaigns in various areas of the city and then brought the drives to them. The response has been “overwhelming,” said Anwar Wayanad, a member of the health sector as well. Soon, the team expanded, drawing in volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, including:
- Graphic Designer Dibeesh Nalappadam Gangaadharan
- Employees of Vaisakh Suresh Nambiar – Limousine Company
- Receptionist Ramshood Chettumkuzhi
- Suhail Kopa, a professional in document services
The message that “one drop of blood can save a life can be spread by these volunteers, primarily from Kerala, is still being spread.
Frontline Employment During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, strict lockdowns and public apprehensions severely affected blood donation rates. To find out how resilient the Kindness Team was, The team took action when blood banks were struggling. ” It was a time of fear, but it was also a time when we saw the best in humanity,” said Salam Kanyappady, a finance manager and entrepreneur who frequently donates blood with his wife, Riyana Salam. The team managed to maintain a series of safe, well-coordinated drives in close cooperation with the Dubai Blood Donation Center and with the support of the Dubai KMCC Kasargod District Committee. Their steadfast presence boosted public apprehension and kept important blood supplies alive. The team expanded its outreach further after the pandemic, working with alumni associations and community groups to organize more well-organized campaigns throughout Dubai.
World Blood Donor Day 2025: honors, milestones, and
The group’s efforts have officially been acknowledged for their impact. The Dubai Blood Donation Centre recently gave Shihab Theruvath a certificate of appreciation for their unwavering support. Over the years, we have received overwhelming support from donors of various nationalities, Anwar told Gulf News. We have been coordinating regular, well-organized blood donation campaigns in close collaboration with the Dubai Blood Donation Center, covering various areas of Dubai and making it simple for donors to take part. We express our sincere gratitude to the Dubai Blood Donation Center under Dubai Health for their unwavering support in assisting us in making our vision a reality, as well as to the dedicated team of volunteers and our devoted donors who continue to advance this mission. The team launched a youth-led campaign to promote World Blood Donor Day 2025 under the slogan” Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives.” In a bid to inspire younger generations to become regular donors, the drive, which took place on Friday, attracted student volunteers. Numerous of the organization’s volunteers and supporters have now taken the next step by donating platelets and red blood cells, underscoring the campaign’s increasing sophistication and outreach.
What You Need to Know About Blood Donation
In the UAE, blood donation is a strictly controlled procedure to protect both donors and recipients ‘ health and safety. What should donors be aware of in the following:
Eligibility:
- Age: 18 to 65 years
- Weight: At least 50 kg ( and 55 kg for those under 21 ).
- Health: Within four hours of the donation, you must be in good general health, have at least four hours of sleep, and have consumed a nutritious meal.
- Must present a current Emirates ID ( tourists and visitors are not permitted ).
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t donate.
Temporary Deferrals:
- Recent travel to countries with high malaria rates: 30-day deferral
- Flu-like symptoms, recent dental care, or
Permanent Deferrals:
- malaria, jaundice after the age of 11, or other communicable diseases like HIV or hepatitis are present.
- individuals who have had significant surgery or received blood transfusions in the last six months.
One unit of donated blood, divided into red cells, plasma, and platelets, each with its own crucial medical needs, can save up to three lives, according to the World Health Organization ( WHO ). World Blood Donor Day ( WBDD), which is observed annually on June 14, was established in 2004 to raise awareness of the value of safe blood donation. It pays homage to voluntary blood donors around the world and honors Karl Landsteiner, the scientist who discovered blood groups, who was born in 1812.
