Voluntary blood donation has been an integral part of the service activities of Lions in the Lions District 322B1 for decades. Since the administration changes every year at the District and Club levels, it was felt that continuity could not be maintained to persevere and improve the efforts being made to propagate the concept of Voluntary Blood Donation. Besides, there was the long felt need to have a centrally located place where voluntary blood donors could walk in, donate blood under ideal conditions and walk away without the need for waiting or mixing with professional blood donors. These facts daunted when voluntary blood donation was adopted as the Lions District Program by the then Lions District Governor Lion Anand Chopra and his team in the year 1992-1993, who readily accepted this challenging task of organizing and successfully administering a Blood Bank. The outcome of their efforts is today our pride - "Lions District 322B1 Blood Bank" - a standing monument of Lions initiative and sustained efforts to solve a problem.
Lions District 322B1 Blood Bank situated at 27/8A, Waterloo Street, Kolkata- 700 069, one of the major project of the district, is a most modern and premier blood bank, which has been highly acclaimed by health service sector of the state of West Bengal for last several years.

During the Lionistic Year 2009-10 about 10056 volunteers donated blood to the blood bank and we served more than 12113 patients with about 4569 blood components during the year. The blood bank is regularly upgrading its equipments and transforming its activities for reaching out to people in large scale with a common objective of "Sharing Life. Saving lives". Blood Bank has an unmatched capacity for caring and commitment to saving lives.
This prestigious project was commissioned on 1st November 1992 during the by the then District Governor Lion Anand Chopra and inaugurated by Lion James T Coffey, the then International 1st Vice President. Past District Governor Lion Ram Mohan Lakhotia, was the Founder Chairman of the blood bank. Since then no stone was kept unturned and every District Governor coming in row tried his best to add new equipments to the blood bank to make it modern one with latest technologies. During the tenure of Lion Pradip Agarwal in the year 1993-94 a Plasma Unit was inaugurated by Mrs. Zarina Rusi Gimy wife of PDG Lion Rusi B. Gimy whereas during the tenure of Lion Subhas Agarwal during year 1995- 96 a Plasma Room was inaugurated by Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, MP. During the year 1996-97, the then DG Gopal Agarwal commissioned Component Unit inaugurated by Lion M. L. Tulsian PID  and in the year 1997-98 Blood Component Unit was inaugurated by Mr. Parth Dey, the then Minister of Health, Govt. of West Bengal during the tenure of Lion Hari Bajoria, as DG. During the tenure of Lion Pradip Nayyar in the year 1998-99 Automated EIA Analizer was commissioned, inaugurated by Lion Kamlesh Jain, PID and during the tenure of Lion A. P. Singh as DG in the year 2000- 01 Blood Transfusion Centre was inaugurated by the then International President Lion Dr. Jean Behar. In the year 2003-04 Hi Tech Equipments were commissioned, inaugurated by Mr. Surya Kant Mishra, Health Minister, Govt. of West Bengal during the tenure of Lion Subhas Murarka as DG. Again during the year 2007-08 Hi Tech Equipments were installed, inaugurated in the presence of Lion Dana Biggs, ID, Lion Russel Sarver, ID, William L. Biggs, PIP during the tenure of Lion Pradip Lath as DG. These Hi Tech Equipments were purchased with the support of Lions Clubs International Foundation amounting to Rs. 5983275/- equivalent to USD 139430 under its standard grant program.
This Project is run by Lions District 322B1 Welfare Trust, a Public Charitable Trust and an integral part of the Lions Club International - the largest and most vibrant service organization in the world and receives support from it for its regular up gradation. The Blood Bank conforms to all the mandatory regulations laid down by the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Most of the Clubs in the District have generously contributed to this project and continue to support with donations and by motivating voluntary donors to come and donate blood. It was a response to a need that has no substitute, even today.

Blood Collection & Distribution

While demand has grown exponentially, the supply does not keep pace. Blood banks bridge the shortfall by separating the blood into components and supplying just the component each patient needs. Thus, we augment the community's blood supply by harnessing technology to the cause of Blood Security.

Donors are needed throughout the year but are mostly in short supply in the summer and around the festive Diwali season. During these times the demand for blood is very high but the supply is alarmingly low. Only blood banks with donors who regularly donate blood can be of real help to the community in emergencies and disasters.

To combat this demand-supply mismatch, the community needs to donate blood throughout the year. We urge all eligible donors to donate blood every six months regularly.

The blood bank processes around 11500 units per annum, collected only from voluntary blood donors. It maintains a high standard of blood banking procedures to ensure the issue of safe and quality blood and its components to the needy. Most hospitals/ nursing homes in and around Kolkata regularly requisition their need for blood and components from this premier Blood Bank - a sign of total acceptance and trust from the medical profession. The Blood Bank issues over 12500 units of blood and components to the needy patients every year.

At Lions Blood Bank, each unit of blood passes through a rigorous screening process for Malaria, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis and HIV. One percent of all produced components are subjected to rigorous analysis by in-house and independent laboratories, in order to maintain the highest quality of blood products and ensure that the risk of infections being transmitted by transfusion is minimal.

The donated blood is returned to the community as Life Saving Blood products. Up to 70-80% of blood collected at Lions Blood Bank is separated into its constituent components.

Patients are given only the component they require, reducing the transfusion of whole blood. Thus we make a critical contribution to the community's blood resources, saving up to three precious lives with one unit of donated blood.

This community based blood banking philosophy has helped us gain and keep the confidence of key constituents - medical practitioners, blood donors, recipients of blood products, volunteers and the healthcare administration.
However, our work does not end with ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply to the community.

Lions Blood Bank is an initiative of the Lions Clubs International, District 322B1, a NGO through its public charitable trust ‘Lions District 322B1 Welfare Trust’ working on a Not for Profit basis.

Available Blood Components:

Regular Blood Components

Concentrated Red Blood Corpuscles
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
Platelet concentrate

Immuno Hematological Investigations - Blood Group (ABO   Rh)

Blood group discrepancy
Indirect Coomb's Test (IAT)
IAT titre
Anti D titre
Anti A titre
Anti B titre
Antibody titre

FAQ Blood Donation

Why Should We Donate Blood?
Blood donation gives, a proud feeling of touching someone's life in such a beautiful way. Its an experience that no words can define. You have to donate blood yourself to find out. By keeping the blood line flowing, you will greatly contribute towards a healthier, happier society. Do remember, any one may require blood any time. Including ourselves and our dear ones. You also benefit in other ways by donating blood. It reduces the chances of ischemic heart diseases (beginning of heart problems) as frequent donations reduce the accumulated and unwanted iron load from the body. Your blood donation will also get you your blood insurance from us.

Any Side Effects Of Blood Donation?
No ! Not really. Do ask any regular blood donor about it. A small percentage of first time donors may psychologically feel a little dizzy but only for a few minutes. Our staff at the blood drive will ensure that your first blood donation is a happy experience. We are sure this will make you a regular blood donor. In fact there are many people who have donated more than 100 times in their life time.

If I Get Any Disease By Blood Donation?
That is impossible. Only sterile disposables are used to collect your blood. These disposables can be used only one time. This totally eliminates any remote chance of catching any disease from blood donation.

How Much Blood Can I Donate?
Eligible donors (any body between 18 to 60 years of age and leading a healthy life) with weight above 50 kgs. can donate up to 350 ml of blood. Your body can replenish this volume within 24 hours.

Why Should I Become A Regular Blood Donor?
As you know, blood is a life saving medicine, which works wonders in certain medical treatments, and life threatening situations. It is an emergency medicine. Our society is today threatened by scarcity of blood. The only source of blood right now is human being. 
This issue has got further complexes by professional donors, who donate blood for money. These donors have contributed towards rapid spread of killer diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C in the society. WHO strongly recommends the source of blood as only from a regular voluntary blood donor. Your regular donation will go a long way in salvaging the situation.

What Should I Eat Before Blood Donation?
Anything, but preferably something. Eating light snacks and a drink (nonalcoholic) before blood donation makes you psychologically more comfortable.

What Exactly Happens During Blood Donation?
Giving blood is a very simple and straight forward process. On arrival at a blood drive, you will be asked to fill a few details on a donor form. Your medical history will be taken by a medical personnel in an area which provides adequate privacy. We routinely take a small drop of blood to ensure that you aren't anemic. After you pass this simple medical screening process, you will be escorted to a blood donation area. The actual blood donation takes about 10 minutes followed by a little rest and refreshments.

What Should I Eat After Blood Donation?
Drink some liquid like tea, cold drink, juice, etc. to replenish fluid and eat some snacks. All this will be available for you at the blood donation site.

What Happens To Blood That I Donate?
Your blood goes to a modern blood bank - Lions Blood Bank. Within 6 hours of Blood collection its processing starts at Lions Blood Bank. It is separated into components viz. Red Cells, Plasma & Platelets. These Blood components are made available to Hospitals, and Nursing Homes including Government Hospitals in and around the city of Kolkata. Medical setups, which do not have blood storage facilities, send their samples to us for cross matching following which blood is sent to them directly. All this is to ensure fastest response to the patient's need. This is how each time you donate blood you save up to 3 lives.

Why Blood Components?
In modern medicine there is no room for whole blood. Developed countries have switched over to blood components for more than 20 years. Unfortunately in India still 95% of the blood is used as whole blood. By making blood components, all the useful parts of blood can be used. In whole blood, platelets die and clotting factors become ineffective and the patient receives unwanted and ineffective components.

What You Do For Blood Testing?
Modern and sophisticated testing set up is used to test each and every unit of blood for HIV Virus (AIDS), Hepatitis B & C virus (Jaundice) Malaria Parasite, Syphilis and also blood groups, fully integrated computer network, real time information processing makes our lab only of its kind in India. This lab ensures highest level of blood safety to each unit of blood. Thanks to robotic machines, the lab technicians also have minimal contact with the blood, which ensures their safety from blood transmitted disease.

What Care Should I Take After Donation?

• Eat and Drinks something before leaving
• Drink more liquids than usual in next 4 hours
• Avoid consuming alcohol for next 8 hours
• Don't smoke for next 1 hour
• Avoid climbing steps for next 30 minutes
• Avoid driving for next 30 mins
• If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise the arm and apply pressure
• If fainting or dizziness occurs, either lie down or sit with the head between the knees
• Resume all normal activities if no symptoms occur
• Remove bandage next day

Important Days to Organise Blood Donation Drives