Indian priest works to convince Indians of value in donating blood

Published: 2004-06-14

ERAVIMANGALAM, India (CNS) -- Indian Father Francis Alapatt said his mission is to make the church "the blood bank of the world." The priest, 50, heads the Jubilee Mission Hospital in Trichur, India. He was a practicing physician when he entered the archdiocesan seminary, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Father Alapatt works toward changing Indians' attitude about giving blood because "knowing one's blood group and donating blood to the needy should be part of everyone's life," he said. People's lack of awareness about their blood type is a major health care issue, he said. Additionally, most villagers in India "fear they would become weak and even die if they donate blood," the priest told UCA News. Father Alapatt has given blood 75 times since his 1995 ordination.

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