Severe Aplastic Anemia: Severe aplastic anemia takes away life, know how a stem cell donor saved the boy's life?:Blood Cell Production Disorder: A 32-year-old woman has set a great example of humanity in Bengaluru, giving a new life to a 19-year-old youth with her blood stem.

News Topical, Digital Desk : A small initiative by 32-year-old Swati from Bengaluru gave a new lease of life to a young man. She played a crucial role in saving the life of 19-year-old Anandu by donating blood stem cells. Anandu was suffering from severe aplastic anemia, a serious blood disease which can prove fatal if not treated on time. Anandu was diagnosed with this disease when he was studying in class 10. After persistent fever, tests revealed that he had aplastic anemia. This is a condition in which the bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells. According to doctors, the most effective treatment for this disease is considered to be bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. A pediatric hemato-oncology specialist at the MVR Cancer Center in Kozhikode, recommended a stem cell transplant for Anandu. The search for a suitable donor began. The family faced both emotional and financial challenges during this time. They also received some financial assistance through the DKMS Patient Funding Program, which is run to help patients.

Meanwhile, Swati, who works as an IT consultant in Bengaluru, participated in a donor registration drive held on her company's campus in 2016. This registration led to a call from DKMS in 2022 informing her that her stem cells might be a match for Anandu. Swati agreed to donate without hesitation, and her family fully supported her decision.

Improvement in health after transplant

After the successful transplant, Anandu's health gradually improved. His blood counts are now stable, and he is living a normal life. Currently, he is continuing his studies and pursuing his hobbies of photography and videography. Experts say that in serious blood diseases like aplastic anemia, stem cell transplant is often the only life-saving option. However, the biggest challenge is finding a suitable donor. According to DKMS India, only a small percentage of the eligible population in the country is registered as potential stem cell donors, making it difficult for patients to find a match. Doctors believe that if more people register as stem cell donors, many patients suffering from blood cancer and other serious blood diseases could find a new lease on life.