Hope in every drop: Kashmir’s volunteer blood donors save thousands of lives
Srinagar, Jun 2: For Rayees Ahmad Bhat, a 34-year-old teacher from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, donating blood is more than a good deed — it’s a mission. Since founding the Kashmir Blood Donors group in 2014, Bhat has helped coordinate over 10,000 blood donations, potentially saving hundreds of lives. “This is a gift from God,” he said. “If I’m healthy, I have a duty to help others.”
Bhat was inspired to act after his infant cousin died in a Srinagar hospital due to a lack of O-negative blood. “There were donors, but no organized system,” he said. Now considered the first structured blood donor group in Jammu and Kashmir, the initiative has around 8,000 volunteers, including students, homemakers and professionals.
Members stay connected through WhatsApp groups and often respond to emergency alerts within minutes. The core team includes-Rayees Ahmad Bhat, founder; Abass Parray, 35, Power Development Department employee, Chairman; Aaqib Ayoub, 28, businessman, Secretary; Sartaj Ahmad Sofi, 27, private employee, Data base in-charge and Aamir Bashir, 28, platelet coordinator The group has 6,000+ registered donors, including volunteers in Delhi and Chandigarh. All activities are self-funded by the team.
Blood camps are held when needed, and volunteers donate regardless of harsh weather. During a recent attack in Pahalgam, the team arranged 10 units of blood within hours for injured tourists. They have also traveled long distances overnight to donate.
“We work without any office or funding,” said Parray. “What keeps us going is coordination, commitment and community.” Top donors include Aamir Yousuf Ahangar, 25, who has donated platelets 25 times, and Mohammad Abass, 50, who has donated blood over 60 times.
More women are also stepping up, despite lingering social taboos. Bilqeesa Ara, 35, an ASHA worker from North Kashmir's Langate area of Kupwara, has donated 28 times. “People said mothers shouldn’t donate,” she said. “But I didn’t listen. Every drop can save a life.” Support from figures like cricketer Parvez Rasool has helped grow the initiative’s reach. Bhat says the goal is simple: “No one in Kashmir should die for lack of blood — one donor, one life at a time.”
