DTMT Network
Bengaluru: DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit organization, has launched a registry for blood stem cell donors saying it will fight against blood cancer and disorders such as thalassaemia and aplastic anaemia.

Mr Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India, said, “Our aim as an NGO is to create as much awareness as possible and encourage people to register as a potential blood stem cell donor.”

He claimed, “The drive saw over 100 registrations.”

Patients and donors of Indian origin have unique HLA characteristics that are severely under-represented in the global database, which makes the probability of finding a suitable donor even more difficult. Hence, it is important that more and more Indians sign up to be a potential blood stem cell donor, Dr Paul explained.

The event was a part of DKMS-BMST Foundation’s initiative to raise awareness among the public about being a stem cell donor and the impact of blood stem cell transplantation on a patient's life.

From time to time, the foundation conducts patient-donor drives across the city and different parts of India to encourage registration and spread awareness.

Mr. B Venkatesh, Director, Department of Horticulture, Bengaluru, said, “We are happy to be a part of a cause which raises awareness among the public about being a blood stem cell donor and the impact of blood stem cell transplant on a patients’ life.”