“I feel proud that with my little effort, I saved a life”
We all love watching movies. It’s one of those relaxing activities that give us a break from our own lives. But sometimes a movie can do more than that. Some movies can inspire, and by taking us on a journey of emotions, add a fresh perspective on life.
Like Rohit, a 33-year-old resident of Kanpur, who got so inspired from a movie that he made a gesture that led him to save someone’s life!
The Sky is Pink is a movie based on a young girl named Aisha Chaudhary, who lost her life to Pulmonary Fibrosis, after she was unable to find a matching stem cell donor, to receive a stem cell transplant that could have saved her life. At the end of the movie, is a message from Aisha, urging people to register as a potential stem cell donor so they can possibly give a patient a second chance at life.
And Rohit did exactly that! He registered with DKMS-BMST and to his amazement, he got to save someone’s life, a year later.
He shares his experience of being a blood stem cell donor –
“When I was watching the movie The Sky is Pink, I was really moved by Aisha’s and her family’s struggle. At the end of the movie, I noticed the mention of DKMS and discovered how they help patients with blood cancer and blood disorders. I also happened to watch Aisha’s Ted Talk, which further motivated me to register. I kept imagining how Aisha might have survived if she had found a matching stem cell donor.
I registered in early 2021 and in just a year, I came up as a match for a patient in need. I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones who got to save a life with very little effort on my part. My family members were happy too but a bit concerned at the same time.
The donation process
I had some concerns initially about whether the process is going to be uncomfortable but the constant reassurance from the DKMS-BMST coordinators helped ease my anxiety.
The process was similar to blood platelet donation and it lasted for about 3 hours. I had a slight headache on the day of collection which lasted until the end of the process. Despite that, I felt spirited and happy at the thought that I had reached the finish line without any hiccups! Having some of my family members around was comforting as well.
After the donation and throughout the process, the DKMS-BMST team ensured that I was comfortable and well-fed. I was completely spoilt with coconut water, fruits and a delectable lunch. Thankfully, I did not notice any discomfort or fatigue, instead I went on a small vacation just a day post my donation!
Message for all
How you can help
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are calling on more people to take the first step and register for a home swab kit.
If you’d like to register as a potential blood stem cell donor you can check your eligibility and sign up today.
Anyone aged between 18-50 years and in general good health can go on standby as a potential lifesaver. If you're not eligible or you're already registered, check out some of the other ways to get involved in the fight against blood cancer.
