Pune: Sahyadri Hospitals, in collaboration with DATRI Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry, hosted a deeply moving donor–recipient meet to raise awareness on the life-saving potential of stem cell donation.
The event brought together families, doctors, and community members, celebrating a rare and heartwarming story of survival.
Stem Cell Donation Saves Twin Sisters’ Lives
The highlight of the event was the reunion between a Hyderabad-based donor, Rajesh (name changed), and twin sisters Aaradhya and Shruti (names changed), both of whom were diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) at just 3.5 years of age. Through a single stem cell donation, Rajesh gave the sisters a second chance at life.
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The emotional reunion moved the audience, with the twins’ parents sharing, “One selfless act gave us back our children. We remain forever grateful to our donor, DATRI, and Sahyadri Hospital.” Rajesh, equally emotional, added, “I never imagined my registration as a donor would save not one but two lives. Seeing them healthy today is the most emotional moment of my life.”
Medical Experts Emphasize Stem Cell Awareness
Dr Shashikant Apte, Director of Haematology at Sahyadri Hospitals, described the event as a milestone that reinforces the importance of awareness: “This is not just a medical success story, but a message to society. Stem cell donation can transform despair into renewed hope.”
Dr Kannan Subramanian, Consultant Hematologist, highlighted the rarity of the case, noting: “It is extremely rare for one donor’s stem cells to be sufficient for identical twins. This success underscores the value of collaboration between registries and hospitals.”
DATRI’s brand ambassador, Mr. India International 2017, Darasing Khurana, added: “One donor saving two young lives is proof that stem cell donation is not just medicine, but humanity at its best.”
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DATRI’s Mission and Ongoing Challenges
The event also spotlighted DATRI’s nationwide mission to increase donor registrations. Sharing progress, Aby Sam John, National Operations Head (South), DATRI, said: “Since inception, DATRI has facilitated 1,645 blood stem cell donations and built a registry of over 6,18,973 donors. Yet, India’s genetic diversity poses a major challenge. Every new registration brings hope to families waiting for a match.”
Inspiring New Donors for Stem Cell Registry
The donor–recipient meet inspired hundreds of attendees to pledge themselves as potential donors, reinforcing how every new registration strengthens the chances of saving lives.
