Mr. Bhavesh Raicha, Valsad Blood Donation Centre, was honored for his pioneering contribution to the development and implementation of the Sickle Cell Anemia Control Programme in Gujarat.
This recognition was conferred at the National Mega Sickle Cell Summit held on 16 August 2025, organized under the aegis of the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Organisations (NASCO).
Dr. Yazdi Italia was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri in 2024 for his outstanding contribution to the prevention, control, and comprehensive management of Sickle Cell Anemia, along with his extensive service to the field of medicine. His pioneering work has significantly strengthened care and support systems for tribal and rural communities affected by the disorder.
Dr. Yazdi Italia was honored by the Government of Gujarat for his outstanding contribution to the prevention and control of Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemia.
The award was presented by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel on the eve of Independence Day 2023, acknowledging Dr. Italia’s leadership and long-standing commitment to advancing public health and genetic disease management in the state.
Ms. Priti Mistry, Assistant Director, Valsad Raktdan Kendra, was honored with the prestigious H.D. Shourie Award at the 45th National Conference of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology (ISBTI) — Transcon 2020 (Virtual), hosted from Chennai.
This award recognizes her exemplary contribution and dedication to advancing the field of blood transfusion services.
Dr. Yazdi Italia was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 44th National Conference of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology (ISBTI) — Transcon 2019.
This prestigious recognition celebrates his decades of leadership, dedication, and impactful contributions to the field of blood transfusion and hematological services.
Valsad Raktdan Kendra was honored with the Star Performance Award (2016) by the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) for delivering the best Targeted Intervention (TI) Program among Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and Single Migrant Industrial Workers.
This recognition highlights our outstanding contributions in HIV/AIDS prevention, awareness, and community outreach across Gujarat.
Additionally, the TI Project – Vapi received the Best Performance Award (2016) from GSACS for its effective implementation and impactful HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives.
The GO–NGO partnership between Valsad Raktdan Kendra and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat, was honored with the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2009–10) for its pioneering work in the Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program.
This recognition highlighted the program’s innovative, community-focused approach and its significant impact on Sickle Cell disease management in Gujarat. Drawing from the success of this model, a comprehensive and sustainable nationwide Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program has since been developed and implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Last year on 23rd March 2021, on 90th Martyrdom Day of Shahid Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, under Samvedna, International Blood and Plasma Donation Campaign, a mega blood donation drive was held by National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA) in collaborations with NBTC, ISBTI, Red Cross, NIMA, HCC and Brahmakumaris.
ISBTI – West Zone has taken active participation in this campaign along with other organizations.
The combined efforts have resulted in record breaking voluntary blood donation in India. This campaign at multiple places across India from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on 23rd March 2021, involving 1,476 blood donation and 97,744 units of voluntary blood donations.
World book of records, London has documented this record.
On 14th March 2022, Governor of Gujarat presented certificates and awards to all camp organizers of Gujarat, at the felicitation function held at head quarter of Gujarat Red Cross, who took part in this campaign.
Governor of Gujarat, Hon. Acharya Devvrat, in presence of Mr. Pritpal Singh, president NIFAA and Dr. Bhavesh Acharya, chairman, Gujarat Red Cross, awarded Dr. Yazdi Italia, Chairperson, ISBTI – West zone, with special certificates and award for encouraging and promoting the noble cause of voluntary blood donation.
Dr. Italia has personally encouraged all blood banks in western India region, through frequent WhatsApp, email and phone messages and guided them for maximum blood donation for World Book Record. This resulted into 198 blood donation camps with collection of 10,536 blood units. This was a time of shortage of blood units in most of the blood banks due to Corona effect. Rajasthan collected 2,198 units out of 35 camps, Gujarat collected 4,145 units out of 65 camps, Maharashtra collected 4,150 units out of 97 camps and Goa collected 43 units out of 1 camp.
Fully air conditioned Mobile Blood Donation Van provided by Govt. of Gujarat has helped us increase our voluntary blood donation camp movement drastically. In last three years, we have increased our blood donation camps activities drastically.
Outdoor Blood Donation Camps provided by SUMITOMO CHEICAL INDIA LTD. Under their CSR activity, also helped us increase our voluntary blood donation camp movement by below mentioned key points
Full time dedicated employees and telephone line for public relation and blood donor recall to increase voluntary repeated blood donation activities.
A total of 5,52,375 blood components were provided during the last 41 years to the patients.
Out of which 1,24,003 (23%) blood units were provided free of cost to needy patients of Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, pregnant women and accident cases in government and charitable hospitals.