From Stranger to Saviour: 12-Year-Old Thalassemia Survivor’s Emotional Encounter with His Genetic Match

Rohit from Kanpur meets 12-year-old Pratham, whose life he saved through a stem cell donation after being inspired by a movie

Delhi, May 07, 2025: In a heart-warming encounter, 12-year-old Thalassemia survivor Pratham, from Bikaner, met the man who gave him a second chance at life, his stem cell donor, 35-year-old Rohit from Kanpur for the first time.

The donor, a pharmaceutical management consultant, was inspired to register with DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders, after watching the Bollywood film “The Sky is Pink,” which depicts the struggles of a family with a child with a life-threatening illness.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to have less hemoglobin than normal. This can lead to anemia, fatigue, and other serious health problems. A stem cell transplant can offer a potential cure for thalassemia patients, replacing their damaged blood-forming cells with healthy ones from a donor.

“Thalassemia continues to place an immense physical and emotional burden on children and their families, especially in India, where the incidence remains among the highest globally. While blood transfusions are a temporary solution, stem cell transplantation offers the only curative path forward. For many patients without a matching sibling, a matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant becomes their only lifeline. The challenge, however, lies in finding that one-in-a-million match,” explained Dr.  Esha Kaul, Director – Hematology, Hemato-Oncology, BMT, from Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali.

Diagnosed at just 6 months of age, Pratham spent much of his early life undergoing frequent and distressing blood transfusions. For nearly seven years, his family searched tirelessly for a matching stem cell donor, never giving up hope.

“When Pratham first came to us, he was very young and playful. We gave him all the support and treatment, but a stem cell transplant was his only curative option. Luckily, he found a matched unrelated donor, and we could proceed with the stem cell transplant. His story is a powerful reminder that thalassemia can be effectively managed with early diagnosis and the proper medical interventions,” shared his treating expert, Dr. Vikram Mathews, Director, CMC; Professor of Haematology, Department of Haematology Christian Medical College Vellore.

That hope turned into reality when, on his mother’s birthday, the family received a call, informing them that a perfect match had been found through DKMS Foundation India.

That match was 35-year-old Rohit, who had registered as a donor during the COVID-19 pandemic after being inspired by a film which mentions information about DKMS in its credits. He registered online and ordered a home swab kit , and eight months later, was identified as the life-saving match for Pratham.

The meeting between Pratham and Rohit was an emotional and joyous occasion, filled with tears of gratitude and heartfelt appreciation. Pratham and their family expressed their profound thanks to Rohit for giving them a second chance at life.

“Seeing Pratham smile in person was overwhelming,” said Rohit, who met Pratham in Delhi, for the first time. “I feel proud to have helped in this small but meaningful way.”

“Thanks to Rohit’s kindness, I no longer need blood transfusions or painful needle pricks. I feel strong and happy,” said Pratham, who now attends school regularly, participates in extracurricular activities, and pursues his love for cricket

Rohit’s stem cell donation, starting with a simple cheek swab, cured Pratham’s thalassemia, and their emotional reunion celebrated this life-changing gift of hope and selflessness.

India sees over 10,000 children born with thalassemia each year. Regular transfusions are the norm for many, but a blood stem cell transplant remains the only curative option. However, the availability of matching donors, especially from Indian ethnic backgrounds, is critically low. Pratham’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for thalassemia patients and their families and highlights the impact of the DKMS- Thalassemia program. “DKMS Foundation India’s Access to Transplantation (ATT) Program is working to bridge the gap in affordability and accessibility that too often stands between patients and curative treatment. From offering free HLA typing for thalassemia patients to providing financial support through our Patient Funding Program, we’re addressing key barriers families face in their transplant journey,” said Patrick Paul, Chairman, DKMS India.

To register as a potential stem cell donor, one must be a healthy adult between 18 and 55 years of age. Registration requires filling up a simple consent form. A swab of the inside of the cheeks is taken to collect the tissue cells, which are then sent to a lab to be analysed for HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen). The potential donor is then listed anonymously on the international search platform for matching stem cell donors. Eligible individuals can register as blood stem cell donors by ordering a home swab kit at https://www.dkms-india.org/register-now and join the movement to save lives.