Chethan Gowda might be just 16 years old, but he wants to pass along a powerful message that he has learnt at tender age: "Nobody should have to die for the want of something that is abundant in everyone's body."
After watching his favourite teacher die due to the unavailability of blood, this Bengaluru-based student started his own non-profit organisation called, 'Khoon', that arranges for blood when blood banks and other sources are unable to help.
Speaking to the Bangalore Mirror, Gowda made a very simple point. "Our country has abundant blood, but people still die of blood shortage," he said. "I want to change that."
Working with a few friends, Gowda tracks availability of blood by directly connecting the donor to the family of the person who needs blood.
"You don't need to be God to save lives," he told The Better India. "With over 3 million units of blood shortage in India every year, people are either dying for the want of blood or are paying exorbitant prices for a single unit. This can go up to ₹25,000 (for 450 ml), depending upon the availability or the blood type."
Khoon also tracks availability of blood with the Red Cross, the Bowring Hospital Blood Bank and the Life Saver blood centre.
The worst part, Gowda told Mirror, is when he is not taken seriously because of his age.
"Nobody takes me seriously when I say I want to help people with blood donations," he said. "It takes a lot of paperwork and convincing from my side."
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