Crusaders fighting for welfare of those with blood disorders receive national award

Two people from Karnataka, who have been separately spearheading efforts to highlight blood disorders and those suffering with social stigmas and struggling with financial burdens, were honoured with Shresth Divyangjan, a national award for empowerment of persons with disabilities. While Dr. Hanagavadi, a haemophilia patient, is credited with having created awareness about the disorder in society over three decades besides facilitating policy changes, Ms. Manjudarshini, who has thalassaemia, has worked with the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society and blood banks highlighting the importance of preventing the disorder. I work with children, motivating them, and also spread awareness about the need for screening to prevent child birth with blood disorders,” said Ms. Manjudarshini, who requires blood transfusion once in 21 days. Dr. Hanagavadi, currently a professor of Pathology at JJM Medical College, Davangere, and president of the society, which he co-founded in 1991, was spurred into becoming a medical practitioner after the death of his uncle from haemophilia, and Ms. Manjudarshini decided to volunteer for the cause of thalassaemia after her sister died owing to the disorder. Barring subsidised cost for laboratory services, every other facility including blood component is free,” said Dr. Hanagavadi.