Thalassemia Program
Thalassemia can be treated!
Thalassemia which was once considered a cumbersome disease with lifelong blood transfusions, iron overload and limited lifespan has seen a shift in the last decade with Blood stem cell transplant often the only curative option. Blood stem cells are collected from the blood of the donors and transplanted into the Thalassemia patient after their bone marrow has been destroyed.
Goal of DKMS-BMST Thalassemia Programme:
To support Thalassemia patients in India, and neighbouring countries by enhancing the access to a potentially curative treatment option of a stem cell transplantation, thus improving their health outlook.
Objectives:
- To collaborate with institutions engaged in the fight against thalassemia.
- To raise awareness about stem cell transplant as a possible treatment option together with various Thalassemia Programme Partners.
- To provide access to free high-resolution HLA typing for patients and their related donors (siblings, parents).
- To provide access to free searches for matched unrelated donors, in the absence of any matched related donors.
Who can benefit from this program:
Financially Underprivileged Thalassemia patients in India, and neighbouring countries, who are:
- Eligible for a stem cell transplant
- Have siblings and/or parents willing and available to be searched as a match for the transplant.
Our Partners
Dr Joseph John, CMC Ludhiana
“Witnessing the transformed lives of the ex-thalassemic patients and hearing the testimonies of the donors would offer us an occasion to experience the supreme ethic of love. Let us seize the enriching, risk-free opportunity to offer our stem cells (blood) to be circulating in another child to render him/her a transfusion-free life.”
Dr Santanu Sen, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
"The DKMS-BMST Thalassemia Support programme which provides for free HLA typing for Thalassemia patients and their families have brought a ray of hope and chance of a cure to their children. Making this essential test free for the patients has galvanised the transplant programme in India making it accessible for all!"
