Stem Cell Transplant Awareness and Donor Registration Camp

The SSR committee of SIMSREE along with the Marrow Donor Registry India organized a Stem Cell Transplant awareness session at SIMSREE on 12^thJanuary followed by donor registration camp on 14^th January, 2015.

Marrow Donor Registry India (MDRI) is an NGO started a few years back in Mumbai, India. They have taken up this project purely with the aim and intention of saving numerous lives of patients in India & Globally who are suffering from life threatening diseases like Blood Cancer, Thalassemia, Lymphoma, Aplastic Anemia etc.

As stated by MDRI, these less fortunate patients can be completely cured only by a new revolutionary Technology/Concept called Stem Cell Transplant. Usually they can be getting a match within their own family, but the chances are only 25%. MDRI was started with the concept of gathering data of Unrelated Voluntary Donors. Patients in India are facing a difficulty in finding matching donors for transplant, due to lack of awareness amongst the people. Transplant is possible only if there is a full match of HLA/DNA Tissue Type of the donor who will donate their stem cell for dying patients and the chances of a full match are very rare i.e. 1:20000. Their biggest challenge is in finding a voluntary donor, who is considerate, dedicated, altruistic and committed to saving human lives.

SSR committee invited Dr. Praveen Clement, a medical officer with MDRI to share his insights regarding stem cell transplant concept. He successfully addressed the concerns with respect to stem cell donation and motivated many students to be stem cell donors. On 14^th January, a registration camp was organized where 58 students registered their names with MDRI and pledged to be available whenever the need arises. The registration process included filling a form and giving 6ml blood for testing. This data will be in the MDRI database for future reference.

We appreciate the efforts taken by MDRI to spread awareness about Stem Cell transplant and also appreciate the active participation of students of SIMSREE to support this cause.