KOCHI: Ahead of World Blood Cancer Day, DKMS Foundation India, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders, honoured lifesavers from Kerala who have given patients a second chance at life. These eight warriors selflessly donated blood stem cells to save the lives of patients battling blood cancer and blood disorders. These generous donors shared their deeply personal journeys, recounting how the act of donation not only saved strangers’ lives but also profoundly transformed their own. Moved by their own experiences, they urged more individuals to come forward, register as potential stem cell donors, and become the hope someone urgently needs to survive.

To mark World Blood Cancer Day, observed on May 28, DKMS Foundation India organized a special event to celebrate the incredible spirit of stem cell donation. At the event, eight donors, Sai (doctor from Calicut), Midhun (IT professional from Calicut), Kishor (IT professional from Palakkad), Abdul (IT professional from Malappuram), Sanjay (IT professional from Trivandrum), Hameem (civil engineer from Kollam), Amina (general physician from Kozhikode), and Rashid (graduate from Kerala) were felicitated for their selfless act of donating blood stem cells. Their actions have not only given patients a new lease on life but have also made them influential ambassadors of awareness and hope.

In India, blood cancer patients often face overwhelming odds when it comes to accessing life-saving stem cell transplants. With only 1 in a million people likely to find a fully matched donor, searching for a suitable match becomes an urgent and often heartbreaking struggle against time. Despite the proven, life-changing potential of stem cell transplantation, the severe shortage of registered donors remains a major barrier to timely treatment. Each year, over 70,000 lives are lost to blood cancer in the country, a disease that accounts for 8% of all new cancer diagnoses.

Patrick Paul, Chairman, DKMS  India, said: “Behind every blood cancer diagnosis is a family holding on to hope, and that hope often hinges on finding a matching stem cell donor. In a country of over a billion people, the fact that only 0.5 million are registered as potential donors is a gap we cannot afford. Kerala has shown encouraging intent with over 21,964 registrations, but we need many more to step forward. A single act of kindness can mean the difference between life and loss for someone, somewhere.”

Dr. Nitin Agarwal, MD, Transfusion Medicine, HoD, Donor Request Management, DKMS Foundation India, said: “A blood stem cell transplant from a matching HLA donor is often the most promising chance of survival for patients with blood cancer or severe blood disorders. However, only about 30% of patients can find a suitable match within their families. The remaining 70% depend on unrelated donors, but with just 0.09% of India’s population registered, the odds are heartbreakingly low. Increasing awareness and donor registrations is not just important, it’s lifesaving.”

He added: “Misconceptions that stem cell donation is painful or harmful continue to discourage many from registering. The procedure is safe, straightforward, and has no lasting impact on the donor’s health. By spreading awareness and addressing these fears, we can motivate more people to become lifesaving donors.”

Dr. Amina A.P. Shahala, a 25-year-old general physician and donor from Kozhikode, said: “As a doctor, I have always believed in healing, but donating my blood stem cells gave me a unique chance to save a life beyond the hospital walls. The process was safe, well-guided, and deeply fulfilling. Knowing that someone, somewhere, has a second chance at life because of my simple act is truly heartening.”

Sharing his experience, Rashid, a 28-year-old graduate from Kerala, said: “Knowing that my stem cell donation gave someone a second chance at life is an indescribable feeling. It’s rare to get an opportunity to make such a profound impact, and I am grateful to DKMS for guiding me through the process with such care. I encourage everyone to register because becoming a donor means becoming someone’s hope.”

Dr. Chepsy C. Philip, Clinical Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplant Physician at Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, said: “Blood cancers like lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia continue to claim lives in India, yet stem cell transplants offer real hope—with success rates of 60–80% when performed on time. However, while over 100,000 patients need transplants each year, fewer than 3,000 receive one. Every day, I see patients desperately waiting for a match. Each new donor isn’t just a number—it’s a lifeline. We need many more, and we need them now.”

Since its inception in 2019, DKMS Foundation India has registered over 200,000 potential stem cell donors and facilitated more than 160 transplants, playing a crucial role in the fight against blood cancer. The foundation remains committed to saving lives by expanding its donor registry both in India and globally.

To register as a potential stem cell donor, one must be a healthy adult between 18 and 55 years of age. Registration requires filling up a simple consent form. A swab of the inside of the cheeks is taken to collect the tissue cells, which are then sent to a lab to be analysed for HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen). The potential donor is then listed anonymously on the international search platform for matching stem cell donors. Eligible individuals can register as blood stem cell donors by ordering a home swab kit at https://www.dkms-india.org/register-now and join the movement to save lives.

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Every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with a blood cancer or a blood disorder, and for many people affected a stem cell transplantation is the only hope for a cure. For both initial and repeat transplants, finding a match and getting the stem cells to the patient as quickly as possible is very important as this has a major impact on survival. But even when a match is found, it can take up to 12 weeks before transplantation takes place, making the procedure a race against time. It remains a race against time.

Therefore, it is important to develop additional approaches to stem cell transplantation to speed up the process. This urgent need was the initial motivation to expand the activities for processing and storing cryopreserved stem cells for the DKMS Stem Cell Bank. Experience Studies show that the average stem cell donor produces more stem cells than are needed for a transplant. If the donor meets certain criteria and gives consent, the excess cells collected during apheresis are preserved at very low temperatures. The scientific term for preserving these types of cells is cryopreservation (from the Greek “kryos”, cold). In this state, the cells can be stored in special cryotanks, until they are requested for another person with blood cancer. Once a request is received, it usually takes up to three business days to transport the material – an advantage that saves valuable time in the race against blood cancer.

“This approach is straightforward and one hundred percent ethical for our voluntary donors. We only approach those who donate to a specific person anyway. This way, our donors can save two lives with one donation,” said Dr. Alexander Platz, Medical Director of the DKMS Stem Cell Bank.

First transplantation of stem cells from the cryotank

The first transplantation of such cryopreserved stem cells from the DKMS Stem Cell Bank showed that this is not just theory. The patient received this transplant as a second graft. The stem cells used were cryopreserved and stored at the time of the first transplant. The fact that the cells were already available in the DKMS Stem Cell Bank had many advantages: the confirmatory typing and the preliminary examination had already been carried out, and the donation arrived at the transplantation center within a few days. This allowed the patient to receive the stem cells he needed as soon as possible. At the same time, the donor did not have to make any additional effort, since a second donation was not necessary. A second donation is not a single case. Generally, about one in 30 donors donates stem cells for a second time, mostly for the same patient. Since the stem cells have been stored in the DKMS Stem Cell Bank, this will not always be necessary in the future – two stem cell grafts were obtained from one collection, and both have now been used.

The first transplantation of cryopreserved stem cells from the DKMS Stem Cell Bank proves that this approach is more than just a theory. The patient received the transplant as a second graft, using stem cells that had been cryopreserved and stored at the time of the initial transplant. Having these stem cells readily available in the DKMS Stem Cell Bank offered several advantages: confirmatory typing and preliminary examinations had already been completed, and the donation reached the transplantation center within a few days. This enabled the patient to receive the necessary stem cells as quickly as possible without requiring the donor to undergo another procedure, as a second donation was unnecessary.

Second donations are not uncommon; approximately one in 30 donors donates stem cells a second time, usually for the same patient. However, with stem cells now stored in the DKMS Stem Cell Bank, such additional donations may no longer be required in many cases. From a single collection, two stem cell grafts were obtained and have both been successfully used.

“The whole team in Dresden was very happy about this first stem cell transplantation from the DKMS Stem Cell Bank. The delivery process from the cryotank to the patient and the transplantation went smoothly, but now we have to keep our fingers crossed. We truly hope that the treatment will now have the desired effect,” said Dr. Alexander Platz.

The DKMS Life Science Lab, the Clinical Trials Unit, the DKMS Collection Center, and the Collaborative Biobankare further facilities that contribute to research and development in the field of stem cell donation in the science hub of Dresden, Germany.

In this case, the DKMS does not disclose any further information in order to maintain anonymity. Patients should be given the opportunity to fully concentrate on themselves and their recovery during this physically and mentally difficult time. Only after a two-year period and with the consent of both parties can anonymity be rescinded.

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BENGALURU: DKMS BMST Foundation India has unveiled its #OneInAMillion campaign in collaboration with Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan, to address the critical shortage of blood stem cell donors in the country. This engaging initiative aims to spread awareness about the vital role of stem cell donation in giving blood cancer and blood disorder patients a second chance at life.

In India, every year, over 1 lakh people are diagnosed with blood cancer or blood disorders, yet less than 1% of the population is registered as potential blood stem cell donors. This campaign seeks to highlight the rarity of finding a matching donor, often compared to being “one in a million,” and to inspire more people to register as donors. DKMS-BMST, a leading organization in the fight against blood cancer, is dedicated to bridging this gap through awareness and action. With a focus on the vital role of blood stem cell transplantation and innovative patient support programs, DKMS-BMST is steadfast in its mission to bring hope and life-saving solutions to countless patients.

Patrick Paul, CEO, of DKMS-BMST Foundation India, commented on the campaign’s significance, saying, “India urgently needs more blood stem cell donors. This campaign combines creativity and technology to engage the public and raise awareness about a cause that can save countless lives. We hope ‘One in a Million’ inspires individuals to take action and make a difference.”

An integrated 360-degree marketing campaign “One in a million,” aims to reach the youth across India. This multi-channel and multi-platform campaign is designed to create a long-lasting impression on youngsters, educating them about the difficulties in finding a matching blood stem cell donor and illustrating DKMS-BMST’s dedication to patients with blood cancer and blood disorders.

At the core of the campaign is a unique virtual activity hosted on social media platforms, where white balloons can be seen floating over important monuments with one rare red balloon amid them, symbolizing the “one in a million” chance of a blood cancer patient finding a suitable blood stem cell donor. In addition to this, DKMS has also launched a web game challenging players to pop a maximum number of balloons in 27s. Interestingly, every 27 someone around the world is diagnosed with blood cancer. The game not only educates viewers about the importance of blood stem cell donation but also encourages them to request a free swab kit to register with DKMS-BMST and join the global registry.

Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan said, “Small actions like these create real hope and with every registration, we get closer to saving more lives.”

Every five minutes, a new case of blood cancer or a blood disorder such as Thalassemia or Aplastic Anemia is diagnosed in India. With only 0.6 million registered stem cell donors from India out of over 41 million globally, the need for matching blood stem cell donors is dire.

Through “One in a Million,” DKMS is not only creating a buzz online but also engaging individuals with outdoor activities sharing knowledge and tools to take part in this life-saving initiative. By registering as donors, participants can potentially transform lives and be the rare match that a blood cancer patient desperately needs.

To register as a potential stem cell donor, you must be a healthy Indian adult between 18 and 55 years of age. When you are ready to register, all you need to do is complete a consent form and swab the inside of your cheeks to collect your tissue cells. Your tissue sample is then sent to the lab to be analyzed and listed anonymously on the international search platform for matching stem cell donors. If you’re eligible, take the first step to register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-bmst.org/register

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NEW DELHI: Livguard, a pioneer in the energy transition sector, is showcasing a spectrum of groundbreaking products and solutions at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Expo in New Delhi at Pragati Maidan. With a strategic focus on electromobility and battery storage solutions, Livguard is driving the transition from traditional energy paradigms to cutting-edge technologies.

Livguard’s exhibition spotlights a range of products designed and manufactured in India, each representing the latest in technology, having either been recently launched or scheduled for launch in the coming months. The core emphasis is around accelerated energy transition, with a key emphasis on electromobility and battery storage solutions.

Livguard presents a comprehensive display of batteries, featuring the safest chemistry available in India. Among the highlights is the unveiling of Livguard’s indigenously designed lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) cell technology, the first Made-in-India LFP cell certified by ARAI. Additionally, the company is set to launch new batteries in the coming days, reinforcing its commitment to advancing battery technology domestically. The company boasts a robust R&D team of 200+ engineers dedicated to designing and engineering solutions within the country. Livguard’s commitment goes beyond “Made in India” to “Designed in India.”

Gurpreet Bhatia, CEO of Livguard said, “Livguard is not merely introducing products, we are revolutionizing the entire ecosystem of electromobility in India. Our integrated solutions, from batteries to drivetrain, coupled with advanced analytics, represent a leap towards a greener and more efficient future that is Conceptualised, Designed, and Manufactured in India.”

Livguard takes pride in its fully homegrown Battery Management System, developed over the past four years in India. It offers state-of-the-art battery health monitoring and enhances battery life and safety.

The focus of the exhibit is to present solutions beyond physical products to Battery Intelligence. The new-age batteries showcase real-time analytics and AI-driven insights. The platform predicts the remaining charge, monitors battery health, and detects potential abuse conditions, ensuring optimal performance and safety for users with features to remotely disable the battery in case of abuse situations. Livguard’s cloud-based solutions have been instrumental in managing a deployed base of over 50,000 batteries, generating invaluable intelligence about usage patterns and optimizing performance.

Addressing the need for rapid adoption of electric mobility, Livguard has also developed battery-swapping stations. These stations facilitate quick turnarounds for fleet-based applications, ensuring efficient use of assets. Livguard’s customers plan to install over 500 swapping stations in the next year, initially in Delhi, Pune, and nearby areas, with plans for further expansion post the pilot phase.

The exhibition is also witnessing Livguard’s drivetrain solutions, representing a shift from traditional combustion engines to motors and electronics. The portfolio includes drivetrain solutions in e-Rickshaws, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers. Livguard’s focus on sustainability extends to its drivetrain solutions, featuring motors with reduced magnet usage. The company is actively developing motors that eliminate the need for rare earth magnets. This commitment aligns with Livguard’s overarching goal of providing efficient, sustainable, and environmentally conscious electromobility solutions.

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PUNE: Sahyadri Hospitals, one of Maharashtra’s largest hospital chains, proudly announces a ground-breaking commercial collaboration with ImmunoACT to introduce CAR-T cell therapies in Pune. As one of the prominent healthcare facilities, Sahyadri Hospitals, equipped with comprehensive hematology treatment centers, is set to provide access to NexCAR19 (Actalycabtagene autoleucel). This CAR-T cell therapy is designed to treat relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients aged 15 and above.

“The introduction of CAR-T cell therapy marks a significant leap in our commitment to providing cutting-edge care for cancer patients. This innovative approach reflects our continuous endeavor to push the boundaries of cancer treatment, offering patients the most advanced therapeutic options available,” states Abrarali Dalal, Director & CEO of Sahyadri Hospitals. “The integration of CAR-T cell therapy sets a new benchmark in treating complex blood cancers, aligning with our mission to offer the highest standard of precision medicine. This launch places Sahyadri Hospitals at the frontline of innovative treatments for blood disorders, promising to significantly improve the lives of patients in Pune and Maharashtra.”

Commonly known as “living drugs,” these personalized therapies are manufactured by genetically modifying a patient’s T-cells using a viral vector, specifically targeting certain types of cancer cells. NexCAR19, the first CAR-T therapy fully developed and manufactured in India, is now among approximately ten such therapies available commercially worldwide. While similar therapies can cost several hundred thousand dollars in the United States, it is planned to be offered at almost one-tenth of this cost.

Outcomes in B-cell cancers, where one or more lines of treatment have failed, are generally dismal. Sahyadri’s medical and haemato-oncologists intend to deploy NexCAR19 to enhance the standard of care, which currently includes chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and bone marrow transplant. NexCAR19 will be initially available at Sahyadri’s Deccan Gymkhana center in Pune, serving patients across western India and beyond.

Dr. Shashikant Apte, M.D., FRCPA, Head of the Department of Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Sahyadri Hospitals, stated, “At Sahyadri Hospitals, we treat patients from various backgrounds, conducting approximately 45-50 bone marrow transplants annually. With the availability of NexCAR19, we now have a significant opportunity to improve outcomes and the quality of life for patients with B-cell malignancies. We hope that similar cell therapies will soon be accessible for other forms of hematological cancers, addressing a critically unmet need.”

Shirish Arya, Co-Founder and Director of Business Development & Corporate Strategy at ImmunoACT commented, “Sahyadri Hospitals’ cutting-edge infrastructure and their clinically forward-thinking oncologists will receive our full support to ensure the immediate and affordable availability of NexCAR19 to patients. Our efforts at ImmunoACT, driven by innovation in research, are also focused on enhancing the scalability of our robust CAR-T platform to extend the benefits of this life-saving therapy to as many patients as possible.”

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INDIA: Thalassemia, a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, presents a significant health challenge in India, with the world’s largest population of Thalassemia Major children and around 42 million carriers of the beta thalassemia trait. As the most prevalent genetic disorder globally and in India, Thalassemia Major requires focused attention. To combat this challenge, DKMS BMST Foundation India has come up with a Thalassemia Programme for such patients.

DKMS-BMST’s Thalassemia program has facilitated over 14,800 Thalassemia children and family members to receive free HLA typing, leading to 345 successful transplants and offering a transformative impact on their diagnostic accuracy and potential for stem cell transplantation.

The UN designates December 3rd as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and aims to raise awareness and understanding of various disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. Thalassemia, as a disability, can be cured with a stem cell transplant, but there is only a 1 in a million chance that someone comes up as a match for a patient, and Indian patients mainly require an Indian tissue match.

Dr. Sunil Bhat, Director and Clinical Lead of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation at Narayana Health Group of Hospitals, said, “Because of International Day of Persons with Disability, it’s crucial to spotlight the challenges faced by Thalassemia patients in India. India is called the Thalassemia Capital of the World, as every year, more than 10,000 children are born with this genetic disease. Addressing the Thalassemia challenge in India requires a comprehensive approach, and stem cell transplantation is a cornerstone in this endeavor. It offers a real chance at a healthier life, disrupting the course of this genetic disorder and bringing newfound hope to individuals and their families. Thalassemia is a preventable genetic disorder, and prevalence has been brought down drastically in many countries with effective prevention strategies.”

Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS BMST Foundation India, said, “The DKMS-BMST Patient Funding Programme and the DKMS-BMST Thalassemia Programme, integral to the DKMS mission, strive to enhance accessibility to transplantation for underprivileged patients in India. Collaborating with local NGOs and transplantation clinics, the Thalassemia program organizes events facilitating free HLA typing for pediatric patients and their siblings. DKMS Germany covers the associated costs. This initiative extends support to cases without matching siblings, aiding in an unrelated donor search. Since 2018, over 14,800 Thalassemia children and family members have received free HLA typing, leading to 345 successful transplants and offering a transformative impact on their diagnostic accuracy and potential for stem cell transplantation.”

To combat this challenge, DKMS BMST Foundation India has come up with a Thalassemia Programme for such patients. The program collaborates with local NGOs and transplantation clinics, organizing events facilitating free HLA typing for pediatric patients and their siblings. DKMS Germany covers the associated costs. This initiative extends support to cases without matching siblings, aiding in an unrelated donor search.

The DKMS-BMST Patient Funding Programme and the DKMS-BMST Thalassemia Programme, integral to the DKMS mission, strive to enhance accessibility to transplantation for underprivileged patients in India. With a vision to identify a matching donor within the family as well as support unrelated donor searches for patients who do not find a suitable match within their family.

Thalassemia is a preventable genetic disorder, and its prevalence has been brought down drastically in many countries with effective prevention strategies. However, India still faces a substantial burden of this condition, and experts call for awareness to combat this challenge. To register as a potential blood stem cell donor, please visit www.dkms-bmst.org/register.

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