Meet Bilqees: Blood Woman of Kashmir

A 32-year-old woman, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker commonly known as 'blood woman of Kashmir' has set an example for the people by donating blood 28 times since 2012, saving a number of lives.

Hailing from Gundchabotra village of Handwara Tehsil in Kupwara district, Bilqees Ara has the complete support of her family.

She said that understanding the importance of blood, she has been doing it since 2012 and will continue to do so. "I feel privileged and proud to be the saviour of many patients. I have seen people crying helplessly while trying to get blood to save their loved ones," she said.

She said that she has donated blood to the needy in almost every hospital in North Kashmir, besides, whenever she had the opportunity, she would donate blood at Srinagar Hospitals and in her area people know her as Blood Woman of Kashmir.

Ara said she felt inner solace at all times when donating the blood. She donated blood for the first time when her pregnant cousin was in need of it in 2012. At that moment, she decided that she will continue to donate blood for the needy patients.

Giving advice to the people, Ara said that people should come forward because it makes you feel better mentally as well as physically. Along with herself, she has so far motivated hundreds of people to donate blood, besides organizing many blood donation camps at several places.

Ara, wife of a teacher who also is a regular blood donor, said that she is proud to be doing it. "Women should come forward and do this. There is nothing to be afraid of. This is to be done for the society," she said.

She said that she has donated blood to many needy patients and she feels proud of herself.