‘I want to create 300 more Sanjay Bapats’

Bapat giving platelets for the 300th time flanked by doctors S Kulkarni and S Rajadhyaksha

A triple century has gone up in lights on the scoreboard of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) at Parel after Dadar resident Sanjay Bapat, donated platelets for the 300th time at the venue late Friday morning.

He was felicitated with a memento at the TMC on Friday. Bapat has been donating platelets since 1993. Bapat said, "I have been donating platelets at TMC since the day a machine came, which if I remember correctly, was in 1993. I think I was the third donor on that day. Earlier we could donate once a month. Now, a donor can donate once in a fortnight."

For awareness

The 55-year-old biomedical professional said, "Unlike blood donation, platelet donation takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. We certainly need more awareness about this kind of donation. With social media, we do have a platelet donors' group, but overall, platelet donation will still elicit a: huh? What's that? response."

Sanjay Bapat, biomedical professional

Though the TMC has acknowledged and felicitated Bapat, the donor said, "This may be a milestone, but I never donate to create records or for recognition. I am simply doing something for society. If I can motivate others, then I consider it a mission accomplished. Today, we see blood spilt in the Russia-Ukraine war. How much better and nobler to give blood or platelets and save lives rather than to spill it, and take lives," said Bapat in a current, relatable twist.

As he finished his triple century donation innings, Bapat hit a swashbuckling six as he explained, "I have finished donating 300 times. Now, my aim is to make 300 donors. I want to motivate at least 300 people to donate platelets. There should not be only one Sanjay Bapat, but at least 300 more. I look forward to creating that record."

The parachute

TMC's Dr Sunil Rajadhyaksha Head, Transfusion Medicine said, "Platelets are very precious and the need for platelet donors is huge. Platelets are like a parachute, if a patient is bleeding, you want the blood to clot to stem the bleeding and that, platelets can do. You need platelets at that time, it is no use getting them tomorrow. Since you need to be hooked up to a machine for donation, and potential donors have to be tested prior, it is difficult to run camps in residential societies or public places for platelet donation, like they do for blood donation. to motivate prospective donors consistently."

Record rush

The doctor added as a cautionary note though, "One can donate platelets 24 times maximum in a year. I must emphasise that you need to adhere to norms for your safety when it comes to platelet donation. There are individuals who may flout this in a bid to create records. They may have donated 100 times, till then and the next year, they are at 150!" Having said that, the doctor acknowledged the momentous occasion they celebrated at the Centre on Friday.

"I salute every donor's passion and commitment. In the rush ‘n' crush, not a minute to waste Mumbai lifestyle, 75 minutes for donation may seem challenging. I tell people: some minutes of your time can mean somebody's lifetime," he said.