Annual Mega Blood Donation Camp Since 1999
Since 1999, the Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust, together with its allied organisations, has been conducting Mega Blood Donation Camps. Every year, these large-scale and meticulously coordinated camps are organised both centrally at the New English School (Shree Harigurugram), Bandra, as well as locally at various Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Centres.
The Mega Blood Donation Camp is always organised in the month of April to address the seasonal shortage of blood that is often experienced during the months of April & May. Every year, blood banks and hospitals face a decline in blood donations during the summer months, as many people travel to their hometowns and villages for vacations. As a result, the availability of blood tends to decrease precisely when the need increases due to planned surgeries in the vacation period. Organising the Mega Blood Donation Camp in April, therefore, helps bridge this gap and provides timely support to the healthcare system when it is needed most.
The journey began on 21 February 1999, when the first Blood Donation Camp was organised at Swatantryaveer Savarkar Smarak, Dadar. What started as a modest initiative soon evolved into an important and sustained mission, growing steadily in scale and impact with each passing year.
From a Single Camp to a Nation-wide Movement
Over the past 25 years, this blood donation movement has grown from a modest beginning of 154 blood units in 1999 into a large-scale humanitarian initiative driven by the dedicated efforts of volunteers at Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Centres and the selfless participation of thousands of donors. Continuous awareness and outreach activities have helped foster a strong culture of voluntary blood donation, resulting in a steady increase in participation year after year. During the Mega Blood Donation Camps of 2024 and 2025, more than 14,500 blood units were collected in a single day through camps organised simultaneously across Maharashtra and several other states, while 13,210 blood units were collected in April 2026 alone. Since inception, a total of 2,47,906 blood units have been collected (up to 08.07.2026) through the collective efforts of Aniruddha's Academy of Disaster Management (AADM) and allied organisations. The significance of this contribution has been recognised by the Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC). The organisation's expertise in conducting large-scale blood donation drives has also received wider recognition; in 2010, it assisted a major political party in Maharashtra in organising a special blood donation campaign that collected over 25,000 blood units in a single day, reflecting the credibility, organisational strength and public trust built through years of dedicated service.
3 Months-Long Preparations for Mega Blood Donation Camp.
Preparations for the Mega Blood Donation Camp begin nearly three months in advance. Volunteers, committees and local Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Centres work together to coordinate with blood banks, register donors, manage logistics and create awareness, ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the camp.
Another key factor behind the remarkable growth of this initiative has been the continuous effort to create awareness about the importance and safety of blood donation. Many people initially hesitate to donate blood due to misconceptions or fear. Through regular communication, guidance and counselling, Shraddhavaans are made aware that blood donation is a safe process and that a small quantity of donated blood can help save a precious human life. Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu who himself is a Doctor, has himself repeatedly emphasised the spiritual importance and life-saving impact of blood donation in his discourses. His guidance and encouragement have inspired thousands of Shraddhavaans to participate in this noble mission. For many Shraddhavaans, blood donation has become a meaningful opportunity to serve others. Regardless of their circumstances, It nurtures the belief that, "I am not useless; I can at least donate blood," and that this simple act can make a difference in someone's life.
Mega Blood Donation camp is conducted in close coordination with government and private blood banks approved by the Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC). Teams comprising doctors, technicians and paramedical staff from these blood banks work alongside Shraddhavaan karyakartas of the Foundation and its allied organisations. The seamless coordination, discipline and teamwork displayed throughout the camp ensure that every donor is attended to with due care and complete regard for safety.
A Collective Responsibility to Save Lives
Guided by the teachings of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu, the regular blood donation drives at the local Upasana Centers along with Mega Blood Donation Camp held in 2026 once again stood as a remarkable example of devotion, discipline and humanitarian service. The Mega Blood Donation Camp witnessed an overwhelming response, with 18,316 donor registrations and 13,210 blood units successfully collected, marking yet another significant milestone in this ongoing life-saving mission. A total of 176 government and private blood banks, approved by the SBTC and other competent authorities, worked in close coordination with the trained Shraddhavaan volunteers of AADM, ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of the camp.
With deep faith and reverence for Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu, Shraddhavaans came forward in large numbers to donate blood at 127 locations spread across Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and other parts of Maharashtra, as well as in Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Goa and Karnataka. The widespread participation reflected not only the growing reach of the mission of Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu but also the collective commitment of thousands of donors towards this mission.
Yet, the need for blood remains constant and ever-growing. Every unit of blood donated has the potential to save a precious human life and bring hope to a family in distress. It gives each one of us an opportunity to do something meaningful for others. Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu has taught us that God is pleased by certain sacred drops ; offered with love, faith and selflessness. In that spirit, a few drops of blood donated to save a human life are not less than offering to God, when we donate blood without expecting anything in return. Let us therefore, come forward to donate blood whenever we get opportunity and encourage others too. Through this simple act, we can help save lives, reduce suffering and bring hope to those in need.
