The idea began to evolve in 1992. The urgency intensified after a trustee visited another blood bank in the city to donate blood and was appalled at the poor safety levels and lack of donor care.

By January 1995, a group of committed individuals had agreed to start a blood bank and established the Lister Charitable Trust for Technology, Education and Research (later renamed Jeevan Blood Bank Research Centre Charitable Trust). A board of trustees was appointed and the name "Jeevan" meaning "Life" was chosen for the blood bank. After nine months of hectic preparations, Jeevan was inaugurated on September 24th 1995.