“Ma’am, my wife also wants to register with DATRI as a blood stem cell donor” – the words by the donor Raghuvir Singh. Since his second daughter is only two months old, and we recommended to register Suman (donor’s wife) after his younger daughter, Bani, turns two years old.
Sharing the journey of a donor who was found to be a match for a five-year-old Aplastic anemia patient and donated his blood stem cells.
# How did you feel when you received a call from DATRI for a donation?
Frankly speaking, when I received a call from DATRI counselor, I was really happy to know that I am the lucky one out of those approximately 4.6 + lakh donors who can gift a second chance at life to someone suffering from blood cancer or other blood related disorder. At the same time, though I remembered about registering with DATRI as a voluntary blood stem cell donor, I do not have much knowledge about blood stem cell donation, I asked the DATRI counselor to speak to my doctor friend and ensure my safety. After that was done my doctor friend recommended to go ahead to gift a life to the little one.
# How challenging it was to convince your parents?
My parents were always in agreement with me to do any noble deed especially when it came to blood stem cell donation and gifting a life. They were very happy and encouraged me and supported me totally. When I had gone for a medical health check-up along with my wife, my elder daughter was taken care by my parents.
# Did you understand the process well and accept it immediately?
I understood the process from the DATRI counselor, and cooperated for the donation procedure. Without any hesitation, I accepted to go ahead and donate my Blood stem cells and be a part of DATRI’s lifesaving mission.
# How was the screening process (CT’s and IDM’s)?
We met Doctor in CMC, Ludhiana. Before meeting him, there was a long discussion about my health history to ensure my well-being by DATRI counselor. He explained the entire whole process again to my wife and me. He also cleared all our doubts regarding donation process. He also, examined me physically, checked my veins to ensure my physical fitness.
Next step was to get some blood tests and body screening tests done. Mostly, all tests were done at CMC, Ludhiana.
# How did you prepare yourself for the collection
I had a good breakfast in the morning. I had pain in my lower back but I was thinking about the little child for whom I was going to donate my blood stem cells. The doctor and the collection centre staff comforted me. I was feeling very proud of myself that I am the chosen one by God to give that little one a second chance at life. So, with the prayers in my heart and gratefulness towards the God, I was waiting for the donation process to begin.
# How was your feeling during the Blood stem cell donation process?
After a short prayer, the donation started around 12 noon and went on well. It got over in about four hours’ time. During the donation process, the collection center staff offered me coconut water and plain water to keep me hydrated. After the donation was over, I was a little tired and wanted to go back home. My back pain also had started reducing. But the collection center doctor suggested me to stay back in Ludhiana for one more night and leave the next day morning after taking rest.
# Did the entire donation process went well?
It was smooth except little discomfort of remaining lying in the hospital bed in the same position for 4 hours. The collection center staff was very cooperative and I watched a Punjabi movie throughout the blood stem cell donation process. After the donation was over, the doctor and DATRI representative facilitated me and a small cake cutting ceremony. I was so happy and felt satisfied after the blood stem cell donation.
# Will you recommend your friends and family to register with DATRI and donate if they are found to be a match for Blood Stem Cell Donation?
“Absolutely yes. I shall definitely encourage my friends and family members to register with DATRI as a blood stem cell donor with DATRI and donate when they become a match. In fact, I want my wife to register as a blood stem cell donor with DATRI”.
# Will you Volunteer with DATRI to create more awareness?
Definitely, I would like to spread awareness about blood stem cell donation and would like to extend my support to DATRI for gifting more lives.
About DATRI
DATRI Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry a not-for-profit organisation, was incepted in 2009 to find unrelated matched donors for patients with leukemia or blood disorders whose life is dependent on an unrelated donor to survive. DATRI, India’s largest registry with more than 4.6 Lakh donors. Any healthy individual between the age of 18 years to 50 years can register as a blood stem cell donor with DATRI and potentially become a lifesaver when they’re found to be a match for a fatal blood disorder patient.
ACT NOW. GIFT A LIFE
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.