Shibu Thekkemattom

Shibu Thekkemattom of Pala, the guardian of lifeblood, is completing three decades in the field of philanthropy. Shibu participates in charitable activities by happily donating life-essential blood to his fellow human beings and making it available to those in need at any time. Many of us have run from pillar to post for blood to save the lives of relatives, friends, or neighbors undergoing treatment for accidents or fatal illnesses. However, that situation no longer exists in many hospitals in the Kottayam district. From the college level to the community level, lists of blood donors are ready today. Embracing the message that blood donation is a great gift, numerous blood donors have come forward across the district. The contributions that initiated this revolutionary change were the activities of a young man named Shibu Thekkemattom.

Shibu Thekkemattom With Chief Minister Shri. V D Satheesan

Shibu Thekkemattom with Former Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan

Over the past 38 years, he has donated his own blood 135 times. Entering the field of blood donation in 1988 by donating his own blood to his teacher, Shibu has been working in the blood donation sector for thirty-five years, having personally donated blood 135 times so far, while also facilitating blood donations from others for thousands of patients. Believing that there is no greater or more sacred gift and service than blood donation, this service-minded philanthropist steps forward to save the lives of others by donating his own blood, even in situations where a patient’s own siblings or children are unwilling to find out their blood group or donate blood. Considering blood donation as the ultimate gift of life, Shibu Thekkemattom serves as a role model and inspiration to everyone by giving his own lifeblood.

Personal Background & Education

Shibu Thekkemattom was born into the Thekkemattom family in Kozhuvanal, a rural area near Pala, as the son of the late T. T. Thomas and Theyyamma. He serves as a lab assistant at Vilakkumadam St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School. Shibu Thekkemattom is an efficient organizer and social worker. His wife is Reni, his son is Emil Tom Shibu, and his daughter is Elena Susan Shibu.

Awards and Accolades

Shibu has received awards from numerous organizations and institutions, including the IMA Appreciation Award, Lions Club’s Outstanding Performance Award, and Junior Chamber’s Great Part Award. He has received the Rajiv Gandhi Award for Best Social Worker from the Rajiv Gandhi National Centre for Humanitarian Studies, the Service Excellence Award from Lions Club International, and the awards for the Best Blood Donor in Kerala for the years 2016 and 2018, jointly presented by the State Health Department, State Blood Transfusion Council, and State AIDS Control Society.

The Birth of a Movement

Shibu entered the field of blood donation by giving his lifeblood to a nun who was his teacher; her return to life was a moment filled with immense joy. Shibu has stated on many platforms that seeing those who received his lifeblood running around with vigor and liveliness is what motivates him to donate blood. Thus, the noble concept of blood donation grew strong in his mind. He shared the idea with friends and acquaintances in Kozhuvanal. With everyone supporting it, the Kozhuvanal Blood Donation Sena was formed.

With Reverend Father Abraham Kaippanplackal

The K. M. George Memorial Arts Club coordinated the activities. Hearing about the sena, numerous people in need arrived. From then on, it was a period of incessant phone calls and tireless work. Attracted by the sena’s activities, students, teachers, organizations, farmers, traders, and drivers all became members. Gradually, the misconceptions people previously had about blood donation began to clear up. The awareness activities led by the sena helped with this. As this began to show results, homemakers and others started stepping into the field of blood donation. Under Shibu’s leadership, the sena’s operations expanded to make blood of the required group available to those in need at the cost of a single phone call.

Pala Blood Forum & Police Partnership

The blood donation sena has now been expanded under the name Pala Blood Forum. Pala Blood Forum has the support of about 32 voluntary organizations in the Kottayam district. Shibu Thekkemattom is the General Convener of the forum. The Pala DySP is the Chairman. By coordinating existing blood sources under the leadership of the police department, a powerful network of blood donors has been made possible. The possibilities of the control room number 100 have also been utilized for this purpose.

With film artist Miya George and Pala Blood Forum Chairman cum Pala DySP Shri A. J. Thomas

Receiving the 2010 Best Blood Donor Award from the AIDS Control Society from MP Shri. K. Sudhakaran in Kannur

The system is designed to provide service around the clock on this number. The operations of Pala Blood Forum, selected as the district’s best blood donation organization, are conducted by connecting and coordinating with the Police Department, District Voluntary Blood Donation Committee, District Health Department, Kerala State AIDS Control Society, various political, communal, cultural, religious organizations, educational bodies, institutions, and traders. Shibu Thekkemattom led the initiative to start Kerala’s first 24-hour blood donation help desk under the leadership of Janamaithri Police in the name of Pala Blood Forum.

Organizational Roles & Community Presence

He serves in numerous organizations, including General Convener of the District Voluntary Blood Donation Committee and Pala Blood Forum, Blood Bank and Blood Donation Co-ordinator for Lions Club International, Secretary of Adv. T. V. Abraham Foundation, and District Chairman of the Nehru Peace Foundation. Shibu Thekkemattom is also a Janasmitri Committee member of the Janamaithri Police. Believing that blood donation is the gift of life and making the greatness of that supreme gift experienceable to others through his own life, Shibu is an active presence in other areas of social work just as he is in blood donation.

Moments in Service & Recognition

Most Rev. Dr. Mar Jacob Murickan takes the first membership in Pala Blood Forum. Minister Shri K. M. Mani sir, First Blood Forum Chairman DySP Shri. Ramesh Kumar and others are nearby.

Receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Award for Best Social and Charitable Worker from former Minister Shri Adoor Prakash. Minister Shri. K. M. Mani, Shri. M. K. Premachandran MP, IG Smt. B. Sandhya IPS and others are nearby.

Receiving the Government of Kerala’s 2016 Best Blood Donor Award from Health Minister Smt. K. K. Shailaja teacher. Former Health Minister Shri. V. S. Sivakumar, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, Health Secretary, AIDS Control Society Director and others are nearby.

Receiving honors from MP Shri. Pannian Raveendran. Kizhathediyoor Bank President Shri George C. Kappan is nearby.

Shibu Thekkemattom’s 75th blood donation is conducted in the presence of Hon. Mani sir, Reverend Davis Chiramel achan, DySP Ramesh Kumar, and Pala Blood Forum Board of Directors.

Receiving honors from Shri. Mons Joseph MLA. District – Block – Grama Panchayat office bearers are nearby.

Participating in anti-drug programs led by Janamaithri Police along with District Police Chief Shri. Satheesh Bino IPS and DySP Shri. Suneesh Babu.

Speaking about the importance of blood donation to the congregation including the respected Oommen Chandy sir of Kerala, amidst the Holy Qurbana at the ancient Puthuppally Church altar.

Hon. Davis Chiramel achan honors him by draping a ponnadai (shawl).

Administering the pledge at the AIDS Day rally held in Pala.

Inaugurating the blood donation camp held at Pala Alphonsa College. DySP Shri. P. T. Jacob, Principal, and others are nearby.

With Minister Shri V. N. Vasavan and former Education Minister Shri M. A. Baby.

Leading a blood donation awareness rally.

Leading a blood donation awareness cycle rally.

Reception received for the blood donation awareness rally.

With Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil.