Despite the large population of India of 1,400 million, the country faces a shortage of stem cells and bone marrow donors. However, Karnataka stands out positively in this scenario. “According to data on February 1, 2024, Karnataka represents approximately 40,000 donors from a total group of 1,83,000 registered blood stem cell donors In our database, “says Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS Foundation India, a non -profit organization that strives to help patients with blood cancer and blood disorders such as Talaasemia and falciform cell disease find coincident donors when maintaining a record.
Stem cell transplants play a vital role in the treatment of individuals affected by blood cancers and disorders such as talasmia and aplastic anemia. Currently, a significant number of patients are looking for compatible donors, which makes it essential to expand the donor database.
Currently, only 17% of patients with Blood disorders in India Find a game, says Paul and added “in Germany, with a population of 80 million, we have seven million donors.”
Shia, eight, who fought against talaasemia and comes from West Bengal, feels lucky. His life changed when he owed, a 30 -year -old technician from Bengaluru, took a step forward as his donor. Having registered as a possible stem cell donor in 2016, Debojyoti gave Shia a second chance in life. The young woman experienced incredible moments when she finally met her Savior four years ago.
For people with major talasmia, stem cell transplant offers high hopes. “The probability of finding a coincident donor increases significantly when searching within their family members. In the absence of a family party, the unrelated donor options are explored through registration services, ”explains Dr. Govind Eriath, oncologist’s consultant-hematism and bone marrow transplantation, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru.
Thalassemia, a concern in Karnataka
It is estimated that there are almost patients with Lakh talasmia in India, with about 10,000 fresh cases reported each year.
Speaking about the prevalence of blood disorders in Karnataka, GagandeEp Singh Chandok, president of the Talassemia Society and Stickle Cells of Bengaluru, said: “State and central governments have not yet created a record and, therefore, there are no numbers available officers. “
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Karnataka has the second largest number of marriages between families in the country. Experts point out that partners in blood -related marriages face a greater probability that their children are born with talaasemia. “When two carriers of minor talasemia genes are married, especially in cases of nearby family relationships, such as consanguineous marriages, their descendants can inherit two defective genes, resulting in major talasmia. These patients require transplantation due to the absence of functional hemoglobin, ”says Dr. Govind. While it is not a malignancy, the severity and the impact of the condition on the quality of life are parallel to that of cancer, he adds.
Paul points out that about 60% of donors registered in records in India decrease the deepest consideration of implications. “Young people constitute much of our donor base. When they discuss donation with their family members, which generally have a limited understanding of the process, leads to a series of concerns about donation effects and branches, ”he says.
Being a donor does not alter the physical being of one. However, the emotional impact can be deep because helping someone who needs desperate help gives him a feeling of satisfaction, says Paul. It can be the only opportunity for this patient to receive a new life opportunity. In fact, you become a lifeguard through this noble act.
Who can be a stem cell donor?
Any adult between the ages of 18 and 50 and with good health can be a donor.
A simple cheek swab is collected during the detection of the stem cell registration, and the information is entered in the database. Once a patient is identified, the donor is contact for the donation of stem cells.
The stem cell transplant procedure generally resembles a platelet donation. Stem cells generally regenerate in three months.