India faces a significant blood supply gap, with an average annual demand of 14.6 million units, but a consistent shortfall of around one million units. Addressing this Abbott has extended its donor recruitment campaign, ‘BETHE1,’ and launched the first-ever donor campaign song, ‘Give Blood Get Good Vibes,’ to inspire Indian youth to donate blood. The song, has been sung by Tamojit Chatterjee, aka MC Headshot, aims to inspire Indian youth to donate blood, making it a contemporary and compelling approach to build a healthier India.
The campaign has been launched in major cities across India, with an encouraging rise in donations by over 20% this year. Abbott’s global program BETHE1™ and ‘Give Blood. Get Back.’ campaign has made a significant impact globally, reaching potential donors in countries like the United States, Ethiopia, Germany, Italy, and Greece. In India, Abbott aims to reach under-represented groups, like the youth, through creative formats to drive positive behavior change.
Dr. Rajesh B Sawant emphasizes the importance of addressing India’s blood deficit to prevent delays in critical blood transfusions. He suggests raising awareness and tackling myths about blood donation to ensure a constant supply for emergencies, planned surgeries, and long-term medical treatments.