Reported by Sanchita chatterjee Kolkata, March 20, 2026: In India, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood-related disorder every five seconds. Behind these statistics lie the patients—waiting, hoping, and praying that somewhere out there exists a donor capable of providing them with the blood they need. Stepping forward to donate blood to just such a patient was Mohammed Ashraf Ali. This young man from West Bengal performed a truly courageous act during this Ramadan season. He is now being widely celebrated for having become a true symbol of what the spirit of Ramadan truly represents.
Ashraf’s journey toward donating blood to save a life did not begin at a hospital; rather, it began while he was looking at his phone. In 2022, while scrolling through social media, he paused upon seeing a particular video. In that video, a social media influencer was discussing blood stem cell donation. Moved by a sudden impulse after watching the clip, he registered his name with an organization called the DKMS Foundation India. This non-profit organization is dedicated to fighting against blood cancer and various other conditions, such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia. After registering his name, Ashraf did not give the matter much further thought; life simply went on.Two years later, he received a phone call.
DKMS informed Ashraf that a patient required a blood stem cell transplant very urgently. As it turned out, Ashraf’s blood was the only match for that patient. However, there was a complication—or rather, two complications. First, Ashraf has a severe fear of needles. Second, the donation would have to take place during the holy month of Ramadan. Consequently, he paused to reflect for a moment.
Many people begin to hesitate the moment they encounter even a single obstacle. But Ashraf did not take a moment’s extra time to make his decision. He uttered just one sentence: “When I realized that my blood was the only match for that patient’s, I prioritized nothing else above that.”
For millions of Muslims across the globe, the Ramadan fast is a deeply personal matter of faith. When asked about this, Ashraf offered a response that encapsulated the very essence of Ramadan. He said, “To me, Ramadan signifies self-discipline—observed through prayer, fasting, and reciting the Quran—as well as bringing meaningful changes to one’s daily life. I believe that performing good deeds is, in itself, an integral part of self-discipline. If you can save a single human life, it is akin to saving all of humanity. Therefore, when I was presented with such an opportunity, I stepped forward to seize it.”
Ashraf’s ability to make this resolve was rooted in a personal memory. His uncle had once fallen so critically ill that his life hung by a thread. Witnessing a loved one in such a precarious state, Ashraf realized the fragility of life; he understood that when someone extends a helping hand—even just one person—there is no greater act. With the support of his maternal relatives by his side, Ashraf patiently explained the entire situation to his own family, addressing and dispelling all their anxieties and concerns. In this manner, he successfully secured everyone’s support.
He then proceeded to the hospital, where—overcoming his fear of needles—he donated blood.
The core spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr lies in gratitude, generosity, and transcending one’s own limitations. This year, that spirit found a foundation rarely witnessed before—a foundation built upon the unwavering resolve of a young man. When he realized that someone was waiting in desperate hope, relying entirely on him, he did not turn away.
Amidst a crisis slowly intensifying across India, Ashraf’s story emerged as a beacon of hope. Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS India, stated that Ashraf’s decision was "deeply moving." He further added, "We hope that upon learning of Ashraf’s story, people will be inspired to come forward and register themselves. By doing so, they will offer a second chance at life to the many patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders."
Statistics clearly underscore the critical nature of the situation. Among patients suffering from blood cancer and various blood disorders, only 30 percent find a suitable donor within their own families. The remaining 70 percent, however, must rely entirely on donors who are neither family members nor relatives—complete strangers. Donors like Ashraf. Yet, to date, only 0.09 percent of eligible individuals in India have registered themselves as potential donors. Consequently, thousands of patients are unable to find a suitable donor and see no glimmer of hope.
Paul noted that with every single registration, this critical situation begins to shift. As the spirit of *Zakat*—or charitable giving—awakens within countless families across the country this Eid, Ashraf’s story serves as a poignant reminder: the greatest gift is not merely something presented in beautiful wrapping or exchanged over festive meals; sometimes, that gift is delivered through nothing more than the prick of a needle—passed from one stranger to another—driven by the simple yet revolutionary conviction that saving a life is the greatest act of all.
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