To donate or not to donate was my dilemma when I got a call from Roop Kour Jyot, a SAMAR coordinator in fall of 2007, notifying me that they found a match with my blood type with a leukemia patient and asking me if I’m ready for donation. Many years before that, I had registered into NMDP registry at a donor drive sponsored by SAMAR. When the call came, I hesitated as I was more concerned about my own health then the patient. I consulted a couple of my doctor friends and they assured me that there is no risk to my health. They encouraged me to donate because there is shortage of Asian registered donors.
I agreed to proceed and went ahead with the process leading up to stem cell donation in March 2008. Throughout the process, SAMAR and HLA Registry volunteers provided all the relevant information, support and facilitated whole process. I had minor side effects but nothing serious. My family and friends were all supportive and I recovered in short period of time. Minor discomfort and inconveniences are small price to pay compared to potential benefit of saving someone’s life. It was an enriching experience for me. I encourage everyone and anyone to register into NMDP program.
Dinesh is systems consultant and lives in NJ with wife and two sons. He can be reached at
