Donate blood stem cell Save blood cancer patients

Brothers from Karnataka, Prapul and Prajwal donated their stem cells recently to save two blood cancer patients. Often a blood stem cell donation from a matching donor is the last chance at survival for blood cancer patients.

Prapul (21s) and Prajwal (24), siblings from Bengaluru helped save the lives of two blood cancer patients. The brothers were matched to two different genetic twins within a brief time after their registration as potential blood stem cell donors with DKMS-BMST a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer. This is the first time for DKMS-BMST that two brothers were independently matched with two different patients from India, and their donated stem cell helped save the two precious lives.

Prapul says, “As a dental student, I am aware of the challenges that blood cancer and other blood disorder patients face. Stem Cell transplant is the only chance at survival for most of these patients. I registered as a donor in one of the registration events organized by DKMS BMST Foundation India in my college. Registration is a simple process wherein you only have to give your cheek swab sample and fill a consent form. Within a year of the registration, I got the opportunity to donate my stem cells. It has been a great feeling knowing that I helped someone get a second chance at life!

Prapul is a BDS student, registered in 2019, and he got the opportunity to donate in 2021. Prajwal, the elder sibling got inspired by his younger brother and decided to register in 2021 and donated in 2022. Their parents and family were

incredibly supportive, and they have become a role model in their extended family and local community. The brothers are actively encouraging other people to register as potential donors.