Covid-19 Survivor from Kerala Donates Blood Stem Cells to Save a Blood Cancer Patient

BANGALORE:
Blood Cancer and other blood disorders like Thalassemia and Aplastic Anemia are on the rise in India and many patients are children and young whose only chance of recovery is a stem cell transplant. Amidst the pandemic, Midhun a 22-year-old techie from Kerala recovered from COVID-19 and donated his blood stem cells to save a blood cancer patient.

Along with DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit organization with a mission of giving blood cancer and blood disorder patients a second chance at life, Midhun aims to raise awareness and encourage fellow peers, family and relatives to register as potential blood stem cell donors.

In 2017, Midhun, registered as a potential blood stem cell donor at a registration event organized by DKMS-BMST at College of Engineering, Trivandrum. Midhun travelled to Bengaluru in March 2021 to donate blood stem cells but unfortunately, he was tested positive for COVID-19. In spite of contracting the virus, Midhun was committed towards the cause and after a month of recovering from COVID-19, he traveled back to Bengaluru from Kerala and donated his blood stem cells in the May 2021.

“When I received the call that I have come as a match for a patient, I was overwhelmed. Without a second thought, I agreed to donate my blood stem cells. But I was disheartened when I tested positive for COVID-19 and thought that I might not be able to donate. I was worried for the recipient whose life was at stake. But, I felt relieved when I got to know that I can donate post my recovery. My parents supported me throughout, and I donated via Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation process, which was similar to blood platelet donation.”- says Midhun.

For a successful stem cell transplant, a patient needs blood stem cells from a perfect HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) matching donor. Only about 30% of the patients in need of a lifesaving stem cell donation can find a sibling match. The rest 70% depend on finding a matching unrelated donor.

Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS-BMST said, “In these unprecedented times, we are trying our best to support blood cancer patients in need. Donors like Midhun are an inspiration for all to step forward and register as potential blood stem cell donors. Given the current pandemic, the health and well-being of the donors is our utmost priority. All the COVID-19 guidelines are being followed during the process. Health experts have confirmed that there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted via blood, bone marrow, or stem cell products.”

Any healthy individual between the age-group of 18-50 can register as a potential blood stem cell donor by ordering the home swab kit at www.dkms-bmst.org/register. When you receive the kit, just fill the given consent form, swab the inside of your cheeks to collect tissue cells and return the swab kit. DKMS laboratory will then analyze your tissue type and your pseudonymized details will be available in the global search for blood stem cell donors.