Blood Stem Cell Donor Registry Encourages Registration Through Flash Mob
Bangalore, May 27, 2024 – To raise awareness about blood cancer, DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit dedicated to fighting blood disorders, teamed up with a dance studio for a pre-World Blood Cancer Day flash mob.
The 50-person mob surprised shoppers at Koramangala’s Nexus Mall, sparking curiosity and raising awareness about the high number of blood cancer cases in India and how people can help. The two-day event also included a blood cancer quiz and a donor registration drive.
DKMS BMST Foundation India CEO Patrick Paul highlighted the critical need for more awareness. He stated that over 1 lakh people in India are diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder annually, yet only 0.09% are registered as potential stem cell donors. This shortage is especially challenging because patients of Indian origin have unique genetic markers that are uncommon globally.
“Initiatives like this flash mob and registration drives aim to educate and inspire more people to register as donors,” said Paul. “This will significantly strengthen our fight against blood cancer.”
Janhvi Sharma, Founder of Good Move Wellness & Studio, expressed her honor at participating. “Dance is a powerful way to express ourselves,” she said. “We wanted to show our support for patients battling blood cancers and disorders. We hope our performance inspires more people to register as potential lifesavers.” Sharma added that her group would also be providing cheek swab samples to register.
Every 5 minutes in India, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder. Many are children and young adults who rely on stem cell transplants for survival. Finding a matching donor is crucial for a successful transplant, but most patients struggle due to the limited donor pool. The lack of registered Indian ethnicity donors makes matching even more difficult.
To register as a potential stem cell donor, you must be a healthy Indian adult between 18 and 55 years old. Registration involves a simple cheek swab and a consent form. The tissue sample is then analyzed and anonymously listed on an international platform for matching.
Ready to be a lifesaver? Order your home swab kit at www.dkms-bmst.org/register.
DKMS BMST India has registered over 1,00,000 stem cell donors and facilitated 110 transplants since 2019. The organization strives to register even more donors and give as many patients as possible a second chance at life.
