Anika, a young mother diagnosed with leukemia, had exhausted every available treatment. Her only hope for survival was a stem cell transplant. But because of her Indian heritage, her chances of finding a compatible match were less than 40%. Determined not to give up, her family organized awareness drives in every community they could reach. Eventually, a match was found — someone who had registered years earlier with a simple cheek swab.
That anonymous donor gave Anika a second chance — to raise her daughter, celebrate birthdays, and live the everyday joys most of us take for granted. Stories like Anika’s are powerful reminders that you don’t have to be a doctor, nurse, or firefighter to save lives. Sometimes, it’s as simple as joining a stem cell registry and being willing to donate when someone desperately needs it.
Why Indian Americans Are Urgently Needed
For Indian Americans, this cause is especially critical. Certain cancers — such as leukemia and lymphoma — can be treated with stem cell transplants, but a patient’s survival depends heavily on finding a compatible donor. Compatibility is closely tied to ancestry. Unfortunately, there’s a severe shortage of Indian-American donors in the U.S. As a result, many Indian-American patients searching for a match never find one.
Recognizing this urgent need, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) launched the first-ever nationwide stem cell drive among Indian Americans in early 2025. The goal is simple: to grow the donor pool so more patients from our community have a fighting chance at life.
How to Register
If you live in the U.S. and are between 18 and 35 years old, you can register online with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Those between 18 and 55 years old can register with DKMS.
The process is simple and quick:
- Register online — it takes just a few minutes.
- You’ll receive a cheek swab kit in the mail.
- Swab, send it back, and you’ll be added to the registry.
You only need to register once with either NMDP or DKMS — both are connected to the global donor network. Being on the registry doesn’t mean you’ll donate right away; it simply means that if you’re ever a match, you’ll be contacted and given the chance to save a life. That call could come in a few months, a few years, or maybe never — but by registering, you’re giving hope to families waiting for a miracle.
Dispelling Myths About Stem Cell Donation
A common misconception is that stem cell donation requires a painful bone marrow procedure. That used to be the case — but not anymore.
Today, over 90% of donations are made through a process similar to donating blood. Here’s how it works:
- You’re given a medication that helps your body produce extra stem cells.
- On donation day, about 400 ml of your blood is drawn.
- The blood passes through a special machine that separates the stem cells and returns everything else to your body.
Your body naturally regenerates the stem cells you donate. Both NMDP and DKMS cover all donation-related costs, including travel if needed. The process is safe, simple, and life-changing.
A Growing Movement Across the U.S. and Beyond
The response to AAPI’s initiative has been tremendous. From New Jersey to California, and from Washington to Florida, AAPI physicians, community leaders, and students have united to organize stem cell drives.
High school and college students who volunteer receive certificates from AAPI recognizing their service.
Building on this success, AAPI is now expanding efforts to India. In partnership with the Global Association of Indian Medical Students (GAIMS) and DATRI, India’s leading stem cell registry, AAPI plans to launch drives in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in January 2026. The vision is ambitious — to bring this movement to every medical school across India, ensuring that patients everywhere have a better chance of finding a match.
A Global Call to Action
The need for donors isn’t limited to the U.S. or India — this is a global issue. Any Indian, anywhere, can help another Indian, anywhere.
If you’re outside the U.S., explore your country’s national stem cell registry. Nearly every major country has one, and by registering locally, you expand the global donor pool and increase the odds of saving a life that may be thousands of miles away.
Here are some key registries around the world:
- United States: Be The Match (NMDP), DKMS
- India: DATRI Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry
- Canada: Canadian Blood Services – Stem Cell Registry
- United Kingdom: Anthony Nolan Register
- Other Countries: Visit the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) to find your local registry
How Communities and Workplaces Can Help
Imagine the impact if every community gathering or corporate campus hosted a stem cell donor drive. These events are simple to organize and can help hundreds of people register in a single afternoon.
If your community organization, university, or company is interested, AAPI can provide guidance, resources, and support to help you host a successful drive.
A Doctor’s Perspective
As a neonatologist, I’ve dedicated my career to caring for the tiniest and most fragile patients in the NICU. Every day, I’m reminded of how precious life is. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we lose patients because time runs out.
But with stem cell donation, anyone — regardless of profession or background — can become a lifesaver. By simply swabbing your cheek and joining the registry, you step into a role of hope, possibility, and heroism.
By expanding our donor pool, we can ensure that more families receive that life-changing phone call:
“We’ve found your match.”
When you register, you’re not just adding your name to a list — you’re becoming a potential hero, ready to give someone the ultimate gift: the gift of life.
About the Author
Dr. Sashi Kuppala, MD, MS, is a double board-certified neonatologist and pediatrician. He also holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management and has served in both clinical and leadership roles, including as NICU Medical Director. Passionate about delivering the highest standards of care, he is dedicated to supporting infants and their families during life’s most critical moments.
Dr. Kuppala serves as Chair of the AAPI Stem Cell Initiative. Outside of medicine, he enjoys hiking and mountain climbing with his wife, Dr. Kavita Kuppala, and their two children.
Source: Indiaspora
