One swab, a lifetime of freedom
The word “independence” means so many things to different people. For Indians, this time of the year commemorates freedom for our sovereign nation. The uniting feeling of pride is liberating, one that we can celebrate in hindsight because of the multiple people who fought for us.
India is also facing another pressing battle...one that is lesser-known but equally as important. The battle against blood cancer and blood disorders. Every 5 minutes, someone in India is diagnosed with Blood Cancer or a Blood Disorder.
DKMS Foundation India is dedicated to helping patients suffering from blood cancer and blood disorders find a second chance at life. This Indian Independence Day, DKMS Foundation India urges you to unite for the cause of deleting blood cancer in our country by giving these people freedom from this deadly disease.
How do we collectively achieve that, you ask? By registering with us!
Once you register, you will be entered into our registry as a potential lifesaver. This means that if and when your HLA characteristics match with a patient, only YOUR stem cells could have a chance at saving their lives.
CURRENT SCENARIO IN INDIA
In India, every year over 1 lakh people are diagnosed with blood cancer or other blood disorders and despite this huge burden, only 0.04% of the total population is registered as potential blood stem cell donors. While blood cancer is life-threatening, a set of healthy blood stem cells from a matching donor can be life-saving. The demand and supply gap is increasing as people don’t register themselves as potential blood stem cell donors due to the lack of awareness.
KRITI
Kriti is a young woman, passionate about fashion designing, who dreams of opening up her own boutique one day. Unfortunately, she has been battling Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia for the past 11 years and her only hope of survival is a stem cell transplant from a matching donor.
VIPUL
Vipul, a young man in his early 20s, has been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer known as Myelofibrosis in March of this year. This condition can only be turned around by a donation from a matching stem cell donor.
NAZMEEN
Nazmeen is a recent graduate, who has just started her professional career in the field of technology. At this same time, she received her diagnosis of stage 3 Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and is awaiting her life-saving stem cell transplant.
ANANT
Anant is a young boy, full of hope and anticipation to pursue his dreams and do well in his academics. Blood cancer has put a halting stop to this. His doctors have informed him that only a blood stem cell donation can save him.