Madhura Ashokkumar Sets Guinness World Record with 117 Blood Donations
Madhura Ashokkumar, a 59-year-old resident of Bengaluru, has achieved a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Record for donating blood 117 times. Driven by her mission to encourage women to donate blood, she has dedicated her life to this cause.
She acknowledges that many women are hesitant to donate blood due to concerns about hemoglobin loss and menstrual cycle disruptions. To dispel these fears, she became a living example by donating blood herself. Typically, she donates blood three times a year and has occasionally donated up to four times during emergencies.
“I never aimed for the Guinness Record. Blood donation should not be about setting records but about maintaining health. My good health, thanks to my upbringing, has allowed me to donate consistently. My father and father-in-law were both freedom fighters, and I wanted to contribute to society in my own way, which I found through blood donation, she shared.
Her 100th blood donation took place in Shiralakoppa, Shivamogga district, at her husband’s residence. The media present there suggested her achievement could be a record. Friends documented her donations year by year, leading to the involvement of Guinness World Records officials. On June 9, she made her 117th donation at Sri Siddaganga Mutt in front of 12,000 children, aiming to inspire the next generation about the importance of blood donation. The late pontiff Sri Shivakumara Swamiji had often referred to her as a “brand ambassador of blood donation.”
Hailing from Sankeshwara in Belagavi district, she began donating blood at the age of 18 after a close friend died during childbirth due to a lack of available blood. During those times, blood banks were only located in district headquarters, forcing villagers to travel 40-50 km and wait for hours. The death of her friend profoundly impacted her, motivating her lifelong commitment to blood donation.
With the support of her father, she initially donated blood whenever relatives needed it, receiving only “Thank You” messages from doctors as there were no certificates of appreciation back then. After marrying in 1986, her involvement with the Red Cross Society in Bengaluru highlighted the constant need for blood among dialysis patients, cancer sufferers, and accident victims.
She passionately appeals to women to donate blood without fear, highlighting the health benefits such as reduced risk of heart diseases and lower cholesterol levels. She emphasizes that the body replenishes the donated blood within 24 hours, causing no adverse effects.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, her mission continued unabated. She donated blood three times before receiving her vaccination. Recognizing the shortage of blood donations due to college closures, she created a video campaign urging young people to donate blood before getting vaccinated, as post-vaccination restrictions on blood donation would last for a significant period.
She remains committed to donating blood until she reaches the age of 65, driven by her unwavering dedication to this vital cause. “I have done it for four decades, why not a few more years?” she says, embodying a spirit of selfless service and relentless determination.
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