Belita James, (40), was about to be taken to the theatre but the doctors had to think twice. Since she had less blood in body, the operation could have cost her life.

“Though doctors had asked my relatives to arrange blood but none was willing to help,” recalls James.

James had swelling in uterus that had to be removed to avoid further loss of blood, advised her surgeons.

“I could actually tell from the look on their faces that they were hesitating to operate me because there was no blood to transfuse afterwards,” she says.

Steven Kumwamba donates blood in one of the hospitals in Blantyre, Malawi. – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Kumwamba poses with one of the many awards he has received for championing the cause of blood donation in the African country. – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Kumwamba with his sister and brother at his stationery shop in Blantyre city. – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Belita James along with her youngest child, whose complicated delivery without surplus blood could have proven fatal. James says she is indebted to Kumwamba . – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Steven Kumwamba donates blood in one of the hospitals in Blantyre, Malawi. – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Kumwamba poses with one of the many awards he has received for championing the cause of blood donation in the African country. – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Kumwamba with his sister and brother at his stationery shop in Blantyre city. – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Belita James along with her youngest child, whose complicated delivery without surplus blood could have proven fatal. James says she is indebted to Kumwamba . – Photo by Josephine Chinele

Seeing wife’s death imminent, her husband deserted James.

She represents one of the many needy Malawians whose life hinges on generosity of blood donors. Like many other African nations, the country has blood banks but without the lifesaving fluid.

Safe and adequate supply of blood and its products have always been in short supply in cities, let alone rural areas.

Religious beliefs, cultural norms and mal-nutrition in general make collection of clean and healthy blood an uphill task. Relatives of patients requiring blood transfusion have to scout well-wishers.

“One day our principal told us there was an urgent need for blood to be given to a woman named Belita awaiting an operation,” recalls 46-year-old Steven Kumwamba, who was then Phalombe Secondary School student.

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