Karukachal (Kottayam): For the past 34 years, 47-year-old Mathew Jacob, fondly known as Babukuttan, has been the familiar voice announcing at the Karukachal bus stand. But beyond his public announcements, Babukuttan is known for something even more remarkable—his unwavering commitment to blood donation.

“I have no money or wealth to help my fellow beings. All I have is my blood. I will give it as long as I am healthy. There is no greater joy than saving a life through me,” says Babukuttan, reflecting on his journey of saving lives through blood donation.

Over the past 17 years, he has donated blood to 55 individuals, with more than 30 of these donations benefiting patients at Kottayam Medical College. His selfless contributions were recently recognised during Blood Donation Day celebrations held at the medical college.

His journey as a donor began 17 years ago with an unexpected visit to the hospital. He had accompanied a friend to the medical college when a mother frantically searched for an A+ donor for her son, who had met with an accident. Watching several people turn away, Babukuttan stepped forward and donated his blood. The mother’s tears deeply moved him, inspiring a lifelong commitment to donating blood.

Since then, he has made it a point to donate blood once every three months—saving up to four lives each year.

With decades of interaction at the bus stand and deep connections within the local community, Babukuttan has become a dependable figure in Karukachal. From morning till night, people know they can approach him not just for bus routes, but also for help in emergencies. Whenever there is a need for blood—regardless of the group—he connects donors with patients in need.

Babukuttan lives with his wife Sandhya and their two children, Sait and Kripa.