AAPI’s stem cell drive urges youth and adults to register as bone marrow donors

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The stem cell/bone marrow initiative has been a major focus under the leadership of Dr. Kathula-led AAPI’s Executive Committee. AAPI has partnered with National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) to increase the Indian donor pool. Those aged between 18 and 40, is a resident of the United States, and don’t have major medical illnesses, can join the NMDP Registry.

Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for physicians of Indian origin.

“I am grateful to the dozens of local AAPI Chapter leaders, members and volunteers across the nation who have initiated and organized bone marrow and stem cell registration across the nation, joining hands with the national AAPI in our efforts in creating awareness and enrolling more youth and adults to be part of this noble initiative,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, an oncologist based in Dayton, Ohio, and the President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI,) the largest ethnic organization in the United States.

Giving the background and the urgent need to this new initiative, Dr. Sashi Kuppala, Chairman of the AAPI Stem Cell Drive, said, “Thousands of patients with blood cancers, like leukaemia or lymphoma, need blood stem cell transplant to survive. Matching the stem cell or bone marrow donors to patients is based on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. HLA are proteins or markers found on most cells in our body and they are inherited from our biological parents and are largely depend on ethnicity.”

Stressing the importance of registering for the bone marrow donation, Dr. Suni Kaza, Chair of AAPI BOT said, “You could be a patient’s only match, their only hope for a cure. When you register, you’re committing to donating to any patient in the world. But because a decision not to donate can be life-threatening to the patient, please think seriously about your commitment before joining the registry. And, be aware that there are absolutely no complications to the donor from this donation procedure.”

According to Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President-elect of AAPI, “In general, 70% of parents needing a stem cell transplant, don’t have a fully matched donor in their family, and approximately 12,000 patients per year depend on transplant from an unrelated donor to survive. These numbers are even dire for cancer patients of Indian ethnicity as the donor pool of Indian ethnicity is very limited.”

Regarding the process to be part of this noble effort, Dr. Meher Medavaram, Vice President of AAPI said, “Registration is easy. You just need to log in with the QR code provided and register with your details at the NMDP website. They will send you a cheek swab kit which you need to return to them. They will perform the HLA typing of your DNA and store the information in their data base.”

Dr. Raj Bhayani, Secretary of AAPI said, “If you’re a match to a patient, who needs stem cells, you’ll be asked to provide blood samples for further testing. Blood work is typically done locally. Travel will likely be required for donation. It costs you nothing to donate. NMDP pays for all donation-related expenses. The donation process takes an average of 20-30 hours spread over 4-6
weeks.”

“It is very difficult to find a matched stem cell donor for South Asians should they need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and this drive will help increase the number of potential donors,” Dr. Bhayani added.

Dr. Shirish Patel, Treasurer of AAPI said, “Bone Marrow donation helps save lives.”

Dr. Kuppala said, he and the AAPI leadership will be happy to educate about the donation process and answer any questions. “We strongly believe that it’s a very a noble and much needed initiative by AAPI to help save lives. While we thank those who are leading the efforts in your own state/towns, I urge others to take the lead in your towns and help  AAPI in our efforts to save lives. Thank you and truly appreciate your support in helping the patients who are in need of Bone Marrow,” Dr Kuppala said.

The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. The organization said the physicians of Indian origin are proud of the great achievements and contributions to their motherland, India, their adopted land, the U.S., and in a very significant way, to the transformation of Indo-U.S. relations.

(Photo courtesy: AAPI)

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