On 2 October 2026, India marked the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. At Repplen Projects, we chose to honour the day with a voluntary blood donation camp in Erode, organised jointly with the Rotary Club of Erode Nexus and Erode Blood Centre.
Most days, we measure our work in roads, bridges and buildings. But this day asked for something simpler: a little time and a willing arm.
Why a Blood Donation Camp on Gandhi Jayanthi?
The banner at the camp carried a line long associated with Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” For us, blood donation is that idea at its most practical. It asks very little of the donor, though it can mean everything to a stranger.
The timing felt right, too. India observes National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on 1 October, so a blood donation camp in Erode the very next day was a natural way to carry that message forward.
There is also a simple truth behind every camp: no one can manufacture blood. Hospitals depend on people who choose to give. And because blood centres can separate one donation into red cells, plasma and platelets, a single donor can help more than one patient.
Every donor began at the registration desk. Here, the Erode Blood Centre team checked blood pressure and haemoglobin, then walked each person through a short health questionnaire. This screening protects both the donor and the patient who will eventually receive the blood.
Once cleared, donors moved to the donation beds. The process itself took only a few minutes, and the mood stayed light throughout. With smiley stress balls in hand, donors chatted with volunteers while the medical team worked. Colleagues, Rotarians and well-wishers came forward to donate and volunteer, and a few even brought their families along.
Partners in Service
Behind this blood donation camp in Erode were three partners, each bringing a different strength:
- Rotary Erode Nexus brought its network and its spirit of community service.
- Erode Blood Centre led the medical side: screening, safe collection and careful handling of every unit.
- Repplen Projects coordinated the camp and encouraged our team to take part.
A Token of Appreciation
Later, Rotary Erode Nexus presented Repplen Projects with a memento of appreciation for organising the camp. The plaque reads Fellowship • Service • Community, three words that sum up the day better than anything we could add. We accept it on behalf of every donor and volunteer who gave their time.
Who Can Donate Blood?
If this story has you thinking about donating, here are the basic eligibility guidelines followed in India:
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Body weight of at least 45 kg
- Haemoglobin of at least 12.5 g/dL
- At least three months since your last whole-blood donation (four months for women)
Still, the final call rests with the blood centre’s doctor after a quick check-up. To find a blood centre or an upcoming camp near you, visit e-RaktKosh, the Government of India’s blood bank portal.
More Than a Blood Donation Camp
At Repplen, we build with purpose. Usually, that purpose takes the shape of infrastructure that lasts. On Gandhi Jayanthi, however, it took a quieter form. It reminded us that the strongest foundations are built by people who look out for one another.
Our sincere thanks to Rotary Erode Nexus, Erode Blood Centre, our team and every donor who made this blood donation camp possible. We look forward to doing more.