Leprosy-affected people donate blood

JANAKPUR, March 16: In a rare event, people affected by leprosy donated blood in Janakpur on Wednesday. Ten leprosy-affected people, including four women and six men, donated blood at a function organized by the alliance of American Leprosy Mission and The Leprosy Mission International, said the organizers.



In total, 25 people donated blood during the event. Dr. Hugh Cross, the country leader of the alliance, claimed this is the first time in global history that leprosy-affected people have donated blood at a formal function. [break]



There might be isolated cases of leprosy-affected people donating blood. But Wednesday´s blood donation in Janakpur is the first time a group of leprosy-affected donated blood at a formal function, he said.



The doctor expressed hope that the event would contribute toward changing people´s negative perception about those affected by leprosy.

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