Vidya’s Blood Stem Cell Donation Camp stands remarkable with the huge participation of engineering students

In India, the rate of blood disorders like leukemia or thalassemia is on the rise. A stem cell transplant from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donor is often the only chance of survival for these patients.

Thrissur Regional Stem Cell Donor Registration Camp was conducted at Vidya on 31 March 2023. The event was organized in association with DKMS – BMST (Bangalore Medical Services Trust) under KTU Care Section of APJAKTU NSS Cell. An orientation on the topic was presented by the representatives of DKMS – BMST, Ms. Anjali I R and Mr. Prajeet.

DKMS (‘Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei’, or German Bone Marrow Donor Center) – BMST (Bangalore Medical Services Trust) Foundation India is a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders.

Vysakh Krishnan V, an alumnus of Vidya, a blood stem cell donor, shared his donation journey to encourage others to register. Vysakh inspired the students when he recounted his experience of donating stem cells to help a person in need of a stem cell transplant survive and the person who was cured expressed his gratitude.Vaishakh inspired the students when he recounted his experience of donating stem cells to help a person in need of a stem cell transplant survive and the person who was cured expressed his gratitude.

Vaisakh’s experience testified to what stem cells are and how and why people donate. Students from various engineering colleges actively participated in the campaign and more than 500 students registered themselves as stem cell donors. Registration and swab collection were done by Vidya NSS volunteers led by Rithika (S6, CSE Dept)

The program was conducted under the leadership of Mr Rajesh S K  (NSS Program Officer and Asso Prof, EEE Dept) and Mr Renjith E R (NSS Programme Officer and Asst Prof, ME Dept).