Young thalassemia survivor’s maiden encounter with donor

In a heart-warming encounter, 12-year-old thalassemia survivor Pratham from Bikaner met the man who gave him a second chance at life in year 2022 — his stem cell donor —Rohit (35) from Kanpur for the first time here.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to have less haemoglobin than normal. This can lead to anaemia, fatigue and other serious health problems. A stem cell transplant can offer a potential cure for thalassemia patients, replacing their damaged blood-forming cells with healthy ones from a donor.

Rohit, a pharmaceutical management consultant, was inspired to register with DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders, after watching the Hindi film, “The Sky is Pink”, which depicts the struggles of a family with a child with a life-threatening illness.

“Thalassemia continues to place an immense physical and emotional burden on children and their families, especially in India, where the incidence remains among the highest globally. While blood transfusions are a temporary solution, stem cell transplantation offers the only curative path forward. For many patients without a matching sibling, a matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant becomes their only lifeline. The challenge, however, lies in finding that one-in-a-million match,” explained Dr Esha Kaul, Director, Hematology, Hemato-Oncology, BMT, from Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali.

Diagnosed at just six months of age, Pratham spent much of his early life undergoing frequent and distressing blood transfusions. For nearly seven years, his family searched tirelessly for a matching stem cell donor, never giving up hope.

“When Pratham first came to us, he was very young and playful. We gave him all the support and treatment, but a stem cell transplant was his only curative option. Luckily, he found a matched unrelated donor, and we could proceed with the stem cell transplant. His story is a powerful reminder that thalassemia can be effectively managed with early diagnosis and proper medical interventions,” shared his treating expert, Dr Vikram Mathews, Director, CMC and Professor of Haematology, Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore.

That hope turned into reality when on his mother’s birthday, the family received a call, informing them that a perfect match had been found.

“Seeing Pratham smile in person was overwhelming. I feel proud to have helped in this small but meaningful way,” said Rohit.

“Thanks to Rohit’s kindness, I no longer need blood transfusions or painful needle pricks. I feel strong and happy,” said Pratham, who now attends school regularly, participates in extra-curricular activities and pursues his love for cricket.

Delhi