Expressnews
Chennai, August 2024: DKMS BMST Foundation India, joined forces with five esteemed universities and educational institutions in Chennai, to organise a series of stem cell donor registration drives to increase the representation of Indian donors in the global registry. The initiative saw active participation from students who came forward to support the cause of stem cell donation in the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
The registration drives were held at Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Madras Christian College, Annai Violet Arts & Science College, Madras School of Social Work, Mar Gregorios College. Through these drives DKMS-BMST aims to register potential stem cell donors across diverse regions and communities in India, particularly targeting the youth. These efforts aim to raise awareness about the critical need for HLA-matched stem cell donors, especially given the unique HLA characteristics of Indian patients, who are severely under-represented in the global database.
A whopping number of over 500 students, across all the universities, registered as potential stem cell donors. The registration process was simple and free, giving cheek swab samples for tissue typing (HLA) and filling out a form. The participants will be contacted if they are identified as potential matches for patients in need.
Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India, emphasized the importance of these drives, “The success of stem cell transplantation hinges on dedicated donors and today’s youth has the potential to drive this social change. By working together, we can substantially impact the battle against blood cancers and other blood disorders. Finding matching blood stem cell donors is a major challenge for Indian patients needing life-saving transplants. With India having the youngest population, it is vital to motivate more individuals to register as stem cell donors. Their ongoing participation in the registry greatly enhances the likelihood of finding matching donors for patients waiting to undergo lifesaving stem cell transplantation.
In India, where over 70,000 individuals succumb to blood cancer annually, the need for a diverse pool of stem cell donors is urgent. Moreover, many blood cancer patients are children and young people whose only chance of recovery is a stem cell transplant. A successful blood stem cell transplant needs a perfect HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) tissue match. There are many HLA characteristics that exist in millions of combinations. Patients and donors of Indian origin have unique HLA characteristics that are severely under-represented in the global database, which makes the probability of finding a suitable donor even more difficult.
Only about 30% of the patients in need of a stem cell transplant as a lifesaving treatment, can find a sibling match. The rest 70% depend on finding a matching unrelated donor. Hence, there is a need for increased and continuous awareness among the people about blood stem cell registration and donation so people can register themselves. DKMS aims to raise greater awareness about blood stem cell donation through such student registration drives in India.
To register as a potential stem cell donor, you must be a healthy Indian adult between 18 and 55. When you are ready to register, all you need to do is complete a consent form and swab the inside of your cheeks to collect your tissue cells. Your tissue sample is then sent to the lab to be analyzed for your HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) and listed anonymously on the international search platform for matching stem cell donors. If you’re eligible, register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-bmst.org/register
