DKMS-BMST raises stem cell donation awareness at St. Xavier’s College Mumbai’s Malhar fest

New Delhi: DKMS-BMST, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer and blood disorders, actively participated in Malhar 24, the annual cultural and social festival organized by St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. The three-day event, held from August 15th to 17th, offered DKMS-BMST an opportunity to engage with students and spread awareness about the importance of stem cell donation.

The organization set up an interactive booth, conducted informative sessions, and organized engaging activities to educate attendees on how stem cell donation can save lives. By dispelling myths and explaining the registration process, DKMS-BMST encouraged the student community to consider becoming potential donors.

“We are excited to partner with Malhar and connect with the dynamic youth of Mumbai,” said Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS-BMST Foundation India. “Young individuals are the future of our nation, and their enthusiasm and compassion can make a significant difference in the lives of those battling blood cancer. By joining hands with St. Xavier’s College, we hope to encourage more people to register as stem cell donors and contribute to building a healthier society.”

During the event, 135 students registered as potential stem cell donors. Celine Moonjely from the Malhar organizing team expressed pride in hosting DKMS India, emphasizing, “This initiative aligns perfectly with our college’s commitment to social responsibility. We believe that by educating our students about stem cell donation, we can empower them to positively impact the world.”

In India, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder, such as Thalassemia or Aplastic Anemia, every five minutes. Many patients, often children or young adults, rely on a stem cell transplant as their only chance of recovery. Finding an HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) matched donor, however, remains a challenge due to the limited number of registered donors.

DKMS-BMST has been working to address this gap by increasing the number of registered stem cell donors in India. Since its inception in 2019, the organization has registered over 1,30,000 donors and facilitated 130 transplants. The partnership with St. Xavier’s College is a significant step in further raising awareness and inspiring more young people to join the cause.

To register as a potential stem cell donor, healthy Indian adults aged 18 to 55 can visit the DKMS-BMST website, complete a consent form, and order a home swab kit. Their tissue samples are then analyzed and listed anonymously on the international registry.

With more Indian donors, the chances of finding a matching donor for patients increase, providing hope to those in need of life-saving transplants. DKMS-BMST remains committed to registering as many donors as possible to give patients a second chance at life.