Government should be empathetic in its approach towards us

Victims of muscular dystrophy out on wheelchairs to create awareness

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Monday, December 08, 2008


Sanjana and Atul Goel, the sister and brother duo, have been suffering from muscular dystrophy - a genetic disease characterised by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles which control movement. Though the illness has made the two physically unfit, their spirits are still touching the skies. Nothing could prevent their nationwide mission that they have undertaken on wheelchairs for spreading awareness about muscular dystrophy.As part of their nationwide tour, undertaken at the behest of Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy, Sanjana and Atul were in Vadodara recently. As a part of their awareness campaign, the wheelchair travellers visited Disha, a city based NGO that runs a school for such patients and Autism Centre.Muscular dystrophy is a critical illness that occurs generally among children. With the passage of time, the victims of the disease lose various functions. First, walking is affected, later they find difficulty in rising from sitting posture. Soon they are forced to take to wheelchairs. Though their brain functions normally, the muscles slowly keep deteriorating, and soon their independent existence turns into a nightmare. “There are about four lakh patients of this disability. Unfortunately, most of them do not confess and undergo treatment because of the fear of not getting a suitable match. In fact, with DNA tests and pre-natal tests, muscular dystrophy can be detected and treated. I know a quite a few disabled mothers who have given births to normal children,” Sanjna told DNA.There are various types of dystrophies and the inheritance pattern varies with each type. “The genetically inherent disease of muscular dystrophy affects children, and women are carriers of the disease. All the voluntary muscles of the body are more or less affected in the dystrophic process. The muscles involved in chewing food are the least affected while respiratory muscles are involved late in the disease. Tow to three cases of this disease come to me every month. The experiments on stem cell and other researches are still in test tube,” says Dr Bhavin Upadhyay, a city-based neuron physician.These two enthusiasts have been travelling on their wheelchairs all over the country to create awareness about the silent killer. “If the developed countries make life so easy for people on wheelchairs, why cant the Indian government do the same?” Atul asked. The duo appealed the government and the citizens to be empathetic; and not sympathetic, towards the people suffering from the disease.

In donating, Amdavadis show it runs in their blood

Kuldeep Tiwari & Devanshi Joshi.Ahmedabad/DNA

Sunday, June 15, 2008

On the occasion of 'World Blood Donor Day' on Saturday, Amdavadis came forward in large numbers to participate in blood donation camps. Prathma Blood Centre set up camps at three malls in the city - Himalaya, Dev Arc, and 10 Acre.The coordinator of the event, Matthew Daniel from Prathma, said: "We also organised one camp at Vatva Industries Association. On an average we collected around 700 units (bottles) of blood by the end of the day.''Prathma Blood Centre collects around 3,500 units of blood in a month. On Saturday, they collected around 45% of a month's target. "Normally, the blood requirement in the city in a month is about 6,000 units but we are not able to meet the requirement as we don't get enough donors. Therefore, places like malls can really prove a successful idea to educate the youth, besides others,'' said Daniel. Students of B J Medical College also organised a blood donation camp, where 45 students donated blood. At the camp, about 60 units of blood were collected."Shortage of blood is a big issue and being a medical student we should put our legs forward. We organised the event and also donated blood. The response has encouraged us to organise such a camp next year too," said Pravin Pandey, an MBBS student.Jyoti Gupta, another young donor, said: "Nothing can be greater than the feeling of contributing for someone's life."

Where donation is a family principle

On occasion of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, DNA profiles a few souls who have saved many lives

Devanshi Joshi. Ahmedabad

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Malvankar family has a special feature: all 30 members are blood donors. The family has a custom to celebrate each member's 18th birthday by donating blood. Whoever in the family reaches 18, starts donating blood from that day.Shakuntala Malvankar, 68, residing at Mithakhali is the oldest member in the family. She has donated blood for 35 times and still wants to continue but the age limit for blood donation is the constraint. However, her sons, daughters, daughters-in-law and grandsons are the pride donors, who have saved several lives.Shakuntala Malvankar says, "My husband late Dr VG Malvankar made efforts to start first voluntary blood bank at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. He inspired all of us and we all started donating blood. Every year, in October, which is the month of both birth and death anniversaries of my husband, we arrange blood donation camp." Siddhartha Malvankar is a centurion blood donor of this family who has donated blood for 127 times. "Our family does not contribute in blood donation only but we also organise blood donation camps to make people aware and let them know how their small efforts can save one's life," he said.Dr Hemant Saraiya, a surgeon from Paldi, is a centurion blood donor. He has donated blood for 110 times. Dr Saraiya started donating blood against the wish of his parents in his teens but his efforts made his family aware about the cause. And soon his parents, wife and brother joined him and started donating blood. Dr Saraiya first donated blood which happened accidentally. "I just had learnt identifying blood groups during my MBBS study days. At that time, some emergency occurred for suitable blood match and my blood group matched with the patient's. First time I donated blood which saved one's life. Till that day I have been donating blood regularly at the interval of three months," he says."My wife Jagruti is also a donor. My brother Hitendra in the US also donates blood there. Earlier my parents did not support as they were not aware of how their donation can save someone's life but after knowing the value of their donation, they too started donating blood." Surendra Patel, 73, residing at Gulbai Tekra has donated blood 100 times. His wife Urvashi Patel also donated blood many times. Now, their two sons and daughters-in-law are continuing their legacy."I don't remember when I started donating blood. Blood donation is a mahadan. Nothing can be greater than this,'' he says."When my blood saves someone's life, it gives deep satisfaction," says Urvashi.Suresh Patel living in Ambawadi has donated blood 107 times and his wife Dharmishtha has donated 60 times. Their two children are also frequent donors."If you want people to know about something, then you should start doing it yourself first. I myself started donating blood and later my family and others joined me,'' he said.