Bhubaneswar, December 12, 2022: Diagnosed with leukemia, a type of blood cancer,
Aniket is urgently waiting to find a matching blood stem cell donor. His only hope for
survival is a blood stem cell donation from a person who matches his HLA (human
leukocyte antigen) type. Aniket belongs to Karnataka, India, and is currently working in
Germany and settled with his wife and a 1-year-old son.
Spoorthy, Aniket’s wife who is striving hard to save him, says, “Last year we were blessed
with a baby boy and were happy. But unfortunately, just after a few months, during a
routine check-up, Aniket was diagnosed with blood cancer, turning our happy lives upside
down. Every day, he is fighting bravely with a hope in his heart to see his son grow up. We
are all desperately hoping for him to find his lifesaver soon.”
DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against
blood cancer and blood disorders is coordinating the search for a matching donor for
Aniket. To reach out to people across India, DKMS-BMST has launched a virtual drive where
one can register online to be a potential lifesaver and save patients like Aniket. Link to
register: www.dkms-bmst.org/Aniket
“Blood cancer accounts for 8% of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in India and is one of
the leading causes of death in the country. For patients diagnosed with blood cancer and
other blood related life-threatening disorders, a blood stem cell transplant from a matching
donor may be their best chance at survival. We encourage more Indians to register as
potential stem cell donors and raise hope for patients like Aniket,” says Patrick Paul, CEO,
DKMS BMST Foundation India.
Aniket originally hails from North Karnataka, India, and since a match is more likely when
the donor and patient are of the same ethnicity, hopefully more Indians would come
forward and register as potential donors.
What is the registration process?
People who are interested and fit the eligibility criteria can register at: dkms-
bmst.org/Aniket
All it takes is five minutes of your time and a simple 3 step process:
Step 1: Visit the site, fill up an online form and you will receive a DIY swab kit at home.
Step 2: Once you receive the swab kit, fill out the consent form and take a tissue sample
from the inside of your cheeks with 3 cotton swabs provided in the kit.
Step 3: Send back your swab sample in the pre-paid envelope provided.
DKMS laboratory will then analyze your tissue type and your details will be available in the
global search for blood stem cell donors. If you do come up as a match for a patient, DKMS-
BMST will get in touch with you. After a medical check-up, your blood stem cells will be
obtained from the bloodstream using a process called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection,
which is similar to a blood platelet donation wherein only your stem cells are taken. This is
a safe, non-surgical outpatient process.
