Remembering Aisha

The remarkable Aisha Chaudhry (1996-2015) was the epitome of hope. She believed that happiness was an attitude and that finding hope could be as simple as turning to a friend, loved one, or even a complete stranger.

Aisha battled illness from a young age, as she was born with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder (SCID), a life-threatening condition that weakens the body's immune system. Her parents were told that Aisha’s only chance for a cure was to receive a blood stem cell transplant from a matching donor.

Without a donor available, the doctors were forced to proceed with a transplant from Aisha’s father, who was only a half-match. This desperate move gave her time but ultimately led to her developing pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease that eventually took her life at 18 years old.

Aisha's story transcended borders when it became the foundation for the 2019 Hindi film "The Sky is Pink." The movie chronicles Aisha's life and the unwavering love of her parents, played by Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar. The film's title reflects Aisha's view of life – finding beauty and wonder even in the face of difficulty.

This month, we celebrate the life of Aisha Chaudhary. Though she is no longer with us, her resilient spirit and positive attitude continue to inspire us all.

Let us remember Aisha and honor her memory by

• Sharing her story – creating awareness about SCID and the need for blood stem cell donors.
• Embracing life and sharing joy – finding beauty and wonder in everyday life (share what brings you joy; for ex. A pic of a blooming tree, or a plate of food, an office desk, a metro station, etc., on your social media and tag us @dkms_bmst_in and #rememberingAisha
• Donating for a cause – This month, A S Motiwala Fine Jewellery is offering its patrons a chance to contribute to the fight against blood cancer. Click here to know more.

Today, 28 years later, over 41 million potential donors are registered worldwide, but many patients still face the likelihood of never finding their perfect match. For patients like Aisha, there is only a 25-30% chance of finding an unrelated donor. We have the power to change these odds, but we need your help. Register today to honor Aisha’s memory, and you could help give a second chance at life to a patient in need.