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Story #24 of 50 days, 50 Stories Campaign
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Anuradha – Can you tell us about yourself? (Hint: – talk about your studies, place from where you belong to and your aspirations)
Abhijeet – Hi! My name is Abhijeet Thakur, and I’m from Saharanpur, UP. Currently, I’m pursuing graduation and also preparing for competitive exams. I want to become an IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer and represent my country internationally. I also want to contribute to society so that it may help people make their lives easier.
Anuradha – How did you get to know about DATRI?
Abhijeet – I came to know about DATRI when I was at Chandigarh University. DATRI had conducted an awareness session cum blood stem cell donor registration drive.
Anuradha – When did you register with DATRI? What was the motivation to write?
Abhijeet – It was October 2018 when I registered with DATRI. The motivation behind this is that being able to help someone in saving their life is just something I cannot miss. All of my life, I learned about helping others whenever and however it is possible no matter what.
Anuradha – When did you get a call from DATRI saying that “Your blood stem cells are a match with that of a patient”?
Abhijeet – It was April 2021 when I got the call from DATRI that my stem cells match those of the patient.
Anuradha – What was the first thought that had come to your mind then? How did you feel about it? Did you get scared?
Abhijeet – When I received the call, I was a little perplexed and surprised that my stem cells match a patient’s. After that, when I processed all the information calmly, I was happy that I would save someone’s life and felt sad for the patient because they were in unbearable pain. I want to help them to get relieved from that pain.
I wasn’t scared, but processing such a big thing is not that easy, so I started collecting all the facts about the stem cell donation process. When I got all the points and talked to my family about the process, I said yes to the donation.
Anuradha – What did the DATRI counselor told you about the donation process? Did you get scared then?
Abhijeet – The counseling part was essential in the donation process. After all, it comes from the counselor who tells the donor the facts about the donation process. My counselor was so gentle to me throughout the process. She told me about the stem cell donation process, how it will help the patient, and what I have to do throughout the process and also cleared all the doubts made me comfortable about the donation process.
Anuradha – What was your parents’ reaction upon hearing that your blood stem cells match the patient? Did they get scared?
Abhijeet – When I told them about the donation process to my parents, they were a little skeptical at first, but once my counselor and I talked to them about the donation process, they came around and agreed to support me in the process.
Anuradha – Was the COVID situation a limitation in any way for the process of donation? Was this a concern from your family and you too? How was the problem resolved?
Abhijeet – There were some concerns about the COVID situation, but DATRI provided the necessary support and outstanding facilities. All the COVID protocols were followed, and I was feeling relatively safe during the process. Since all the COVID protocols were followed, there were no such concerns, and the process was carried out smoothly.
Anuradha – After you agreed to donate, what was the next step?
Abhijeet – When I agreed to donate, my counselor told me about all the tests and health check-ups. What kind of tests do I have to undergo and she also said to me that if I have any concerns, I could express them all, and she had done her best to solve them.
Anuradha – Share your experience with DATRI during the process of Health Check-up. Was it smooth?
Abhijeet – The process of the Health Checkup was relatively smooth. My counselor was with me throughout the check-up process. I didn’t feel any discomfort or difficulty, and my blood sample was collected from home to minimize the risk during the COVID time. I was picked up from my house to the hospital for a check-up and later dropped at my home. After that, my counselor shared all kinds the reports of the health check-up. Also, she told me what kind of precautions I have to take before the donation process.
Anuradha – Tell us about online consultation with the aphaeresis center doctor.
Abhijeet – The online consultation was held due to the COVID situation to minimize infection risk. The doctor told me about the donation process and also told me how long the process is going to take place. He asked me to say to him if I have any previous health issues or anything else. He also asked for some basic information about me like height, weight, etc. he also told me who would be there with me, and he also talked with my parents and resolved whatever issue they have about the process. In short, he was accommodating and supportive.
Anuradha – What was the next step in the process of donation after the online consultation?
Abhijeet – During online consultation, the doctors told me what GCSF is and what I have to do in that process, and how it will help increase my stem cells. They also said that I could share with them if I had any kind of discomfort or problem.
Anuradha – Was GCSF painful? Did you get scared at any point in time for five days when GCSF was being administered? Were there any side effects of the injections?
Abhijeet – The GCSF process was not painful at all. The technician who administered the injection was very skilled at work, and I did not feel any discomfort or pain. There were no side effects apart of little bearable back pain. When I told the doctor about back pain, he told me not to worry about it. The pain indicated that the injections are working. The doctor had prescribed a painkiller in case the pain becomes unbearable.
Anuradha – Tell us about your donation experience at CMC, Ludhiana
Abhijeet – The donation process in CMC, Ludhiana, was excellent. Everyone there was so lovely to me and was with me throughout the process. The doctors, the nurses all were so sweet. Whenever I feel discomfort, they were there to help me; they were so supportive and helpful that I feel perfect during the process. They treated me so nicely that I can never forget that experience in my life.
Anuradha – How did you feel after donation – mentally as well as physically?
Abhijeet – I felt quite remarkable after the donation. Doctors told me about the implications of my donation and made me feel so happy about my donation decision. After donation, doctors examined me again, and some blood tests were performed to ensure that everything was fine. I was allowed to go only after ensuring my physical and mental well-being. After reaching home, I did not feel any pain or discomfort; instead, I felt pretty awesome and great.
Anuradha – Did DATRI do any follow-ups after the donation?
Abhijeet – My counselor from DATRI called me after the donation and asked me about my health. After the donation, she called me regularly and talked to me. CBC report was done after one month to ensure that my blood counts are normal. The counselor also told me that CBC would be done once again after three months and six months.
Anuradha – your Message to the donors who miss the opportunity to become a LIFESAVER for whatever reason.
Abhijeet – I want to tell all the donors that please donate your blood stem cell and save someone’s life. You are a lifesaver, such a massive thing that it cannot be expressed in words. If you donate your blood stem cell to a patient, you save that person’s life and their family’s. Humanity taught us to help someone in need; if we are not human, what are we? Saving someone’s life is the best thing you can do with your life. So please don’t miss this opportunity. You feel so great once you donate that there are no words to describe that feeling. Therefore, donate and experience the joy of saving a precious life.
Anuradha – Message to the parents.
Abhijeet – We all know that parents are scared for their children and it is well justified too. But in stem cell donation, there is nothing to worry about. The whole process is so safe and secure that the donor doesn’t feel any discomfort. The doctors remain with the donor throughout the process, and (a) parent(s) is/are also allowed with their children during the process. So, there is nothing to worry about. Once the process is finished, you feel so proud of your child that you cannot express that feeling. After all, if we help others, they others help us in our difficult times. So please let your child donate and help them to save a life.
About DATRI:
DATRI is a Not-for-Profit organization founded in 2009 with a mission to save lives of those suffering from life-threatening Fatal blood disorders like Blood Cancer, Thalassemia, Leukemia, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anaemia, etc.
DATRI is registered with the Government of India as a Section 8 organization, and all monetary contributions towards DATRI are subject to 80G exemptions
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About the Author:
Anuradha Tandon holds an M. Tech. degree in Control & Automation Engineering. She has total 12 years of teaching experience in various universities across India. ”. After 12 years of fulfilling teaching career, she wanted to give it back to the society. So, she decided to join DATRI in November 2019, having gone through the pain of finding a donor for a family member. She holds a role as a Senior Associate – Partnerships and Medical Affairs.