Rising Awareness of Blood Stem Cell Donation in Rajasthan: A Cultural Heritage Takes on Life-Saving Initiatives

Jaipur- In 2020, a resident of Sriganganagar district, Richhpal (33) registered as a blood stem cell donor with DATRI, driven by a desire to make a difference in someone's life. Little did he know that his decision would lead to a life-changing opportunity. In 2022, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Richhpal received an unexpected call from DATRI. He was informed that he was a potential match for 14-year-old Priyash from Agra, who was battling Aplastic Anemia, a severe form of blood cancer.

Initially skeptical, Richhpal dismissed the call as a hoax. However, DATRI's persistent outreach and the urgency of Priyash's situation eventually convinced him otherwise. Overcoming his doubts, Richhpal readily agreed to donate his blood stem cells, understanding the gravity of the situation. His selfless act proved to be a lifeline for Priyash, who received the much-needed transplant and is now on the path to recovery.

Rakesh Kumar's journey as a blood stem cell donor began in 2022 when he registered himself. Within a short span, Rakesh received an unexpected call from DATRI, informing him that he was a potential match for a 5-year-old child named Shakti Kannan, who was battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a life-threatening blood cancer.

Without hesitation, Rakesh stepped forward to offer hope to Shakti and his family. He underwent the donation process, providing Shakti with a second chance at life.

Rajasthan, known for its rich cultural heritage, is also witnessing a significant rise in awareness about blood stem cell donation. Many organizations, dedicated to facilitating blood stem cell donations, have played a pivotal role in driving this awareness and encouraging participation in donation drives.

One of these is DATRI, working towards creating a wide and diverse database of potential Blood Stem Cell Donors that can be accessed by any patient living anywhere in the world in need of a Blood Stem Cell Donation.

DATRI Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry, is not-for-profit organisation, which has facilitated 1327 Blood Stem Cell Donations and has more than 5,52,991 registered donors. DATRI recruit’s donors who can donate their blood stem cells to patients suffering from blood cancer and blood disorders.

S. Teresa, Head of Communications at DATRI spoke to The Mooknayak about the organisations' presence in Rajasthan, where it has 13,261 registered donors and 20 donors have donated their blood stem cells giving a new life to patients suffering from life-threatening blood cancer and blood disorders.

She further informed about the Donor Receipient Meet, a special event to be held at Hanumangarh on April 10. " It would be a touching moment as one donor who saved a life by donating blood stem cells to a patient suffering from blood cancer will meet the recipient. They will share their heart felt experience. Also the Sarpanch leaders and volunteers from blood bank who played an important role in the noble mission too would be felicitated" Teresa said.

Stem cell donation & its significance

In a blood stem cell donation, blood is taken through a tube (catheter) in a vein in an arm. The blood goes through a machine that takes out the stem cells. The blood is then returned to the donor. This process is called apheresis. It is an outpatient procedure that typically takes up to 4 to 6 hours to complete.

In India, there are on average 40 adults diagnosed with fatal blood disorders every day. About 10,000 children are born with thalassemia every year. Every 6 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Despite undergoing painful chemotherapy, most patients with blood disorders die because they have faulty blood stem cells.

The only treatment option is to replace their faulty blood stem cells with healthy blood stem cells from matched donors. However, the probability of finding a matched blood stem cell donor is 1 in 10,000 to 1 over a million.  Donating blood stem cells is an easy process and one does not lose anything but rather get the chance to gift a life. You are saving a life of a person who is suffering from a life-threatening disease.