In Memoriam: Kanta Krishen
December 10, 2024
Kanta Krishen, a trailblazer in India’s voluntary blood donation movement,
died Nov. 30 at the age of 95.
Krishen’s distinguished career in blood banking began in the 1960s when she partnered with renowned transfusion expert J.G. Jolly to establish the Blood Bank Society in Chandigarh. Serving as the organization’s secretary and later its president, Krishen was instrumental in ensuring a steady supply of voluntarily donated blood to one of India’s largest hospitals.
Her influence extended nationwide as she tirelessly advocated for voluntary blood donation. In 1996, she filed landmark public interest litigation that led to the abolition of the purchasing and selling of blood in India. Krishen also served as the founding secretary of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology (ISBTI), a position she held for 24 years.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Krishen was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 1972. Additional accolades included the President’s Gold Medal, ISBTI’s Mother Teresa Award and the Republic Day Award from the Chandigarh Administration.
