Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today called upon the youth to voluntarily donate blood to save lives and become part of the noble service to mankind.The Minister was speaking at a programme organised to mark World Blood Donors Day. The function was organized by Jammu and Kashmir State AIDS Control Society (JKSACS) and PG Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine GMC, Jammu in collaboration with Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu.Principal and Dean, GMC Dr. Sunanda Raina, Project Director, JKSACS Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Rather, Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu RC Puri, Associate Professor and Incharge, Blood Bank, SMGS Hospital Dr. Meena Sidhu, doctors, faculty members, students, volunteers and representatives of social organizations were present on the occasion. “We must express gratitude to all those who donate blood voluntarily and play their role in saving the ailing mankind” the Minister said.Stressing for being part of the noble cause, the Minister said that when a patient needs blood, he doesn’t prefers for a volunteer from a particular community, caste, sex or status. This makes blood donation a unique service to the mankind, he asserted. “It is a service that can strengthen bonds among communities. There is a need to spread the message of blood donation in community congregations, social functions and by organizing awareness camps on regular intervals,” he added.Later, the Minister felicitated regular blood donors and social organisations that hold blood donation camps frequently.