News Archive

Like the past few years, Quantum Foundation has set up a blood camp at this year’s Ekushe Book Fair. The Quantum camps are located on the verandah of the Bardhamanan Bhaban, next to the information center, and are open from 2 PM to 8PM. The beds in the camp are named after the Language Martyrs, Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and others. Donating blood, in the Ekushe Book Fair, in a bed named after someone who shed his own blood for others, promises to be a memorable experience.

‘When I was young, my father used to go looking for blood for me every month. Often when he came back at night, he wouldn’t be able to stare at my eyes, and would bow his head and cry silently, because he hadn’t been able to find any.’ said 19 year old Mehedi Hasan, who was diagnosed with Thalassemia when he was three and a half, during the 2nd Felicitation Program for Silver Club members held on January 11th. Mehedi and his younger sister, who also has Thalassemia, need a total of 7 bags of blood every month; otherwise they wouldn’t be able to live.

Mehedi’s father cried that day too, but this time the tears were of gratitude. Since the establishment of the Quantum Blood Bank, the endless worry about blood has ended. Both his children get blood regularly from the bank.

All this has been made possible by the self less act of blood donors, the most committed of whom were honored on January 11th.

This was the 2nd ceremony to honor members of the Silver Club, who have donated blood at least 10 times to the Quantum Voluntary Blood Donation Program. 253 Silver Club members were honored with a medal, a letter of honor, and a special ID card on the occasion.

Prof. S M A Faiz, Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University, who was present as the Chief Guest on the occasion, said the fact that we are making lists of those who give more ( blood donors), rather than those who have more, indicates we are becoming more civilized. National Professor Brigadier (Retd.) Abdul Malik, Secretary General of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, the Special Guest, expressed his appreciation of Quantum’s human development and social service programs.

Prof. A B M Yunus, Honorary Director of Quantum Lab, highlighted the uniqueness of Quantum’s Voluntary Blood Donation Program. Md. Jahangir Hossain, who have donated blood 12 times despite his disabled condition, made an inspiring speech about why it is important do donate blood.

 

In conclusion Madame Nahar El Bukhari, Director General of Quantum Foundation, and Chief- Coordinator of the Quantum Voluntary Blood Donation Program, said blood donation is the most valuable service possible. There is nothing we can do, in return, other than acknowledge our indebtedness to these generous people. The program was a humble effort to do so.

The 25th life long blood donor felicitation program was held on Friday, November 23. 76 life long blood donors were honored with a certificate, ID card and crest on the occasion. In a new gesture, TSC (Teacher Student Center) of Dhaka University was honored with a crest for its role in the voluntary blood donation movement in Bangladesh. Eminent educationist Dr. Anisuzzaman was the chief guest on the occasion and Md. Alamgir Hossain Director of TSC was the special guest. While speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hossain declared his life-long support for Quantum’s humanitarian work. Dr. Anisuzzaman stressed the importance of honoring blood donors and acknowledging society’s debt to them.

Although the light of truth spreads slowly, its radiance is brilliant. That is why we are working step by step with the ambition to serve. said Majee Madame Nahar El Bukhari today, 10th November, 2007 in the concluding speech of the two-day-long (16 hour) Voluntary Blood Donation Program Motivational Training Course, held at Meditation Hall, Kakrail, Dhaka. She said, This is not a conclusion of a course, this is a beginning of a course of action.

This course was moderated by Ms. Suraiya Rahman, Director Coordination, Quantum Foundation and the trainers were Prof. Dr. ABM Younus (Honorary Director, Quantum Lab), Dr. M Habibullah (Consultant), Dr. Moniruzzaman (Lab in-charge, Voluntary Blood Donation Program, Quantum Foundation), Prof. Khadija Mahtab and Ms. Masuda Akhter Abedin (Coordinators, VBDP, Quantum Foundation), Maolana Sayeedul Haque, Ms. Rabia Nazreen and Eng. Pranjit Lal Shil (Central speakers, Quantum Foundation).

178 participants completed the course and were honored with a certificate.

The course was inaugurated by Majee Madame Nahar El Bukhari. The course was enjoyable and presented with multimedia. The topics of the discussions included Goals, Working Style, Social Services and Financing of Quantum Foundation; History of Blood Transfusion, Safe Blood Transfusion, WHO Guidelines, Motivation, Public Relation, Technical Aspects of Blood Transfution and the Necessary Qualities and Attitudes of the Quantiers.

There were several special meditations and a question-answer session. An assessment test was also taken on basis of the two-day course. This was the pioneer batch of this course. The next batch will be held on January 4 & 5, 2008.

Voluntary Blood Donation Program, Quantum Foundation, reached a milestone on Friday, November 2, 2007. On that day the collection of blood in the Quantum Blood Lab was 133 units - the highest so far. The previous record for highest collection in a single day was 112 units.
The purity of blood and blood components, mentality to serve and the motivational activities led by Quantum Foundation has earned the people's trust and inspired them to donate blood. Quantum Lab now collects hundred units of blood and blood component almost regularly. Yesterday, November 7, 2007 it collected 122 units of blood and blood components.

It is a good sign that the donors are willing to donate. We hope, we will soon be able to meet the total need for blood and blood components with voluntarily donated blood.