Patna: For more than 35 years, Mukesh Hissariya has been quietly ensuring that blood reaches patients when they need it most.
Widely known as the “Blood Man of Bihar”, the Patna-based social worker has built one of the state’s largest voluntary blood donor networks, helping thousands of patients access blood during emergencies. His efforts have also extended to arranging rare blood types, including the extremely uncommon Bombay Blood Group.
On World Blood Donor Day, hundreds of people participated in blood donation drives organised at Maa Blood Centre in Patna, reflecting the impact of a movement Hissariya began more than three decades ago.
43 Personal Blood Donations
Hissariya has personally donated blood 43 times and has spent years encouraging others to do the same.
In emergency situations, families searching for blood often turn to his network, which connects donors and patients across Bihar and other parts of India. The system allows blood donors to be mobilised quickly when urgent requirements arise.
His work has earned him recognition across the country and established him as one of Bihar’s most prominent advocates of voluntary blood donation.
Rare Bombay Blood Group Network
One of the most remarkable aspects of the initiative is its focus on rare blood groups.
According to members of Hissariya’s team, the network includes donors with the Bombay Blood Group, also known as the hh phenotype, one of the rarest blood groups in the world.
Amar Kumar, a member of the donor network, recalled a case involving a patient at AIIMS Patna who required Bombay Blood Group blood.
After identifying the rare blood type, the team coordinated with donors and arranged two units of blood from Mumbai, helping the patient receive timely treatment.
A Promise That Became a Mission
The blood donation campaign traces its origins to 1991-92, when Hissariya’s mother was undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
During her treatment, he witnessed families struggling to arrange blood for their loved ones. The experience left a lasting impression.
After his mother recovered, Hissariya resolved to donate blood regularly and assist people facing similar situations. What began as a personal commitment eventually grew into a large-scale social initiative.
Building a Virtual Blood Bank
To improve access to blood donors, Hissariya introduced the concept of a virtual blood bank.
Initially operated through phone calls and websites, the network later expanded to include WhatsApp groups, social media platforms and other digital channels.
Today, nearly 150 groups from India and abroad are connected to the system. A single request can be circulated to thousands of registered donors, allowing volunteers located near hospitals to respond quickly.
The network proved particularly effective during the COVID-19 pandemic, when blood shortages affected healthcare facilities across the country.
Thousands of Lives Benefited
According to Hissariya, nearly 19,000 people have donated blood through the initiative over the past four years.
The campaign has helped approximately 24,000 patients receive blood during medical emergencies, making it one of the most extensive voluntary donor networks operating in Bihar.
Even after developing health conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes and high blood pressure, Hissariya continues to coordinate blood donation efforts and motivate new donors to join the cause.
Inspiring a Culture of Donation
The movement has encouraged many donors to mark personal milestones through blood donation.
Patna resident Manish Kumar said he celebrates his birthday and wedding anniversary by donating blood, a practice followed by other members of his family as well.
Another donor, Vishal Roshan, donated blood on his grandmother’s death anniversary and described the experience as a source of personal satisfaction and social responsibility.
Supporters of the campaign believe regular blood donation can save lives and help reduce shortages in hospitals.
More Than a Social Campaign
Over the past three decades, Mukesh Hissariya’s work has evolved beyond a blood donation drive into a community-led humanitarian movement.
By connecting donors, hospitals and patients, he has helped ensure that life-saving blood reaches those in need, including individuals requiring some of the world’s rarest blood types.
For thousands of families across Bihar and beyond, his efforts continue to represent hope during moments of medical crisis.
