Mangaluru: Four decades ago, when Sudhakar Rai from Peraje in Sullia went to a hospital to donate blood for the first time, very little did he know that his outlook towards life was going to change forever.
Four decades later, on June 14, Indian Red Cross Society, Karnataka circle honoured him in Bengaluru as part of world blood donors’ day for having donated blood the highest number of times in Dakshina Kannada district. A total of 16 blood donors from across the state were feted for their service and Rai stood out because of the number of times he donated blood.
Speaking to newskarnataka.com, Rai said that it was in the 70s when one of his friends’ sister was in labour and there was an urgent need for blood. “My older brothers used to donate blood and hence I too was inspired to do so. However, when this incident came up, I went to the hospital to donate blood. The lady, who was battling for life was saved and the entire family and the hospital staff looked at me with such gratitude that the incident changed my life. They treated me like a God and I realised the value of blood and the noble service I could do,” he said adding that from there he waited for opportunities to donate blood and save lives.
Standing at 105 mark, Rai, who is also a Social Work graduate has lost count of the number of lives he has saved so far and the number of hearts he must have won due to his selfless service.
He says that he just wants to continue the service as long as he is healthy enough to do so.
