Couple turns wedding reception into blood donation camp

Inspired by awareness campaigns, a couple turned their wedding reception into a blood donation camp with the bride, groom and guests turning donors in Odisha's Kendrapara district.
"Some family members were initially hesitant about holding a blood donation camp during the reception. But my father asked me to go ahead," said groom Suvendu Kumar Pratap of Chandol village who held the reception yesterday.
"I was the first donor. My wife followed me. When we came forward family members joined us," the 26-year-old groom said, adding that thirty one guests donated blood.
He said that he was motivated by a charitable organisation for holding a blood donation camp at his wedding.

"It was for the first time I donated blood. I was scared. But I felt relieved after donating blood. Blood donated by me could save someone's life," said Suchitra Jena the bride.
Sachikanta Nath, Chief coordinator of Ama Odisha, which organized the camp said "In the past, we have organised blood donation camps in various places. But this was different.
"Organisers on most occasions struggle to arrange donors with the number hardly reaching double digit. But yesterday's camp was altogether a different story," Nath said.
"It's an exemplary gesture on couple's part. They deserve all praise. Others should follow their example," he added.