193 persons register as stem cell donors

As many as 193 persons registered themselves as stem cell donors with Stem Cell Registry India (SCRI) during a special drive organised at Bhuvanendra Hall in Canara High School, Dongarakeri, on Saturday.

The drive was carried out to find the stem cell march for Prashanth, a 37-year-old physical education teacher at Canara CSBE School, who is suffering from Leukemia.

Vysakh Shaji of SCRI told DH that the stem cell donors registration drive was carried out for a week at Canara College of Engineering in Benjanapadavu, Canara College in Mangaluru and Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), in which a total of 714 people had participated.

The drive organised on Saturday was for public.

“A potential donor can give a second lease of life to cancer patients who are in need of stem cells. For registration, donor’s cheek swab is received using cotton swabs so that their tissue (HLA) characteristics can be determined. Once a donor signs up, their anonymized data will be available and searched for patients worldwide until they turn 61 years of age. When matched with a patient, every donor has a rare opportunity to save a life. An unrelated donor match is extremely rare,” said Vysakh.

The registration drive was inaugurated by Athlete Varsha Rohith.

Speaking on the occasion, she said, “Prashanth sir was my coach. When I got to known about his illness, I decided to take part in the drive. Many are not aware that our stem cell can save a life.”

Canara High School Associaton President Prabhakar Shenoy, Secretary M Ranganath and others were present.