A Swab In College, A Second Chance In Life: Stem Cell Donors Bring Hope To Thalassaemia Patients

Hyderabad: A 12-year-old girl was seen waiting with her family members with a smile to meet the man whose stem cells gave her a second chance at life. Two years after her transplant, Sameeksha finally met her donor - 27-year-old Dileep K., during an event ahead of World Thalassaemia Day on May 8.

The meeting was organised in Bengaluru by DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation working to support patients with blood cancer and blood disorders through stem cell donation.

Sameeksha had been living with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia, requiring repeated blood transfusions from when she was six months old. Her family struggled financially to access treatment until a stem cell match was found through DKMS.

Dileep, an IT professional from Kolar, recalled that he had registered as a donor casually during a college event. “I had bunked class to attend a programme where everyone was giving swab samples. I did not understand its importance then. Months later, I received a call saying I could save a life. After speaking to the DKMS team and doing some research, I agreed to it. Later I learned it was for a child fighting for life,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

For ethical reasons, donors and recipients are allowed to meet only after two years of transplantation.

“I feel happy now. I can play and go to school like other children,” Sameeksha said. Her father added, “We waited years for a donor and there were moments of uncertainty. Meeting him today is emotional for our family.”

The organisation also announced free HLA typing for children below 12 years suffering from transfusion-dependent thalassaemia in India. Families can approach thalassaemia societies in their respective states for support.

According to DKMS, awareness among students and young adults is increasing, leading to more registrations for stem cell donation. Maruthi Dandothikar, a medical coordinator from Hyderabad, and 19-year-old donor Balaji Bhagirath are among several youngsters waiting to meet their recipients after completing donations last year.

DKMS Foundation India executive chairman Patrick Paul and Global CEO of the foundation Dr Elke Neujahr said, “Financial barriers continue to prevent many patients from accessing life-saving treatment. They urged state and Central governments to increase awareness and support schemes for stem cell transplantation. They explained that in India few myths are still blocking the family members from donating and this should improve. There are also donors who are coming forward twice for donations as it is very safe to save the lives of hound children.”

Thalassaemia Society Telangana president Chandra Agarwal said, “Telangana has minimum awareness for stem cell donors and this should improve. DKMS is doing HLA typing for residents of Telangana and saving lives of many residents.”

India records over 10,000 children born with thalassaemia every year. Experts said healthy adults between 18 and 55 years can register as potential stem cell donors through a simple cheek swab process.

Prior to the blood stem cell collection, the donor receives a daily injection of G-CSF for five consecutive days, to mobilize and build up the number of stem cells in the circulating blood stream. While taking the injections, the donor may feel flu-like symptoms, but these will disappear after the donation and there are no known long-term side effects of this injection.

On the day of donation, the donor's blood is collected from one arm, using a sterile, disposable kit, and passed through a machine that separates out the increased number of blood stem cells, said doctors.