One decision, thousands of lives | Fusion - WeRIndia

Acts of compassion often begin with a single moment that refuses to fade from memory.

In 2008, 16-year-old Ramesh Jeke visited a hospital in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, hoping to donate blood.

He had recently cleared the written exam for the National Defence Academy. However, the hospital declined his request because he was underage.

As he walked away, a desperate mother pleaded for blood for her five-year-old daughter. Sadly, blood never arrived in time, and the child died.

That tragedy deeply affected Jeke. Consequently, he chose a different mission. Instead of pursuing a defence career, he began promoting voluntary blood donation across the state.

Initially, the challenge was enormous. Many people believed donating blood could cause death.

Moreover, most blood banks in the region were inactive, while illegal blood sellers exploited the shortage.

Even his parents opposed his decision. They refused financial support and feared he was destroying his future.

Nevertheless, Jeke continued his campaign. He walked through Itanagar and Naharlagun, visiting hostels and rented rooms where students lived.

Gradually, awareness spread. Soon, people started contacting him whenever patients needed blood. Over time, he built a network of more than 2,000 voluntary donors across Arunachal Pradesh.

However, the journey was not without danger. One night, drunk miscreants attacked him while he walked between Naharlagun and Itanagar.

They beat him and threw him into a drain after he refused to give money. Fortunately, a passing truck driver rescued him. Despite the incident, Jeke refused to stop his work.

His dedication eventually reached state leaders. In 2014, former Arunachal Pradesh health minister Kalikho Pul praised his efforts and gifted him a scooty to support the campaign.

Soon after, the government expanded blood banks to several remote districts following Jeke’s request.

Today, 17 of the state’s 26 districts have blood banks. Meanwhile, Jeke has organised more than 6,000 blood donation camps and personally donated blood 86 times.

Arunachal Pradesh has even achieved 100% voluntary blood donation and received the National Excellency Award twice.

Beyond blood donation, Jeke now performs last rites for unclaimed bodies and supports abandoned elderly people.

He also helps educate orphaned children and redistributes unused medicines to needy patients.

Looking back, he believes he simply followed his calling. Instead of wearing a uniform, he chose another path of service, saving lives every day.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 26, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1275948