Step 1
HR raises a request to host a drive and receives swab kits at the office.
Step 2
Employees register and collect cheek swabs during the scheduled activity.
Step 3
Completed kits are collected and scheduled for pickup post-drive.
Step 4
HLA typing is done, and details are securely added to the registry
Step 5
The donor is contacted with the next steps if there's a potential match.
Step 6
If willing, the donor is guided through a safe and non-invasive donation process.
About DKMS
DKMS Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the global fight against blood cancer,blood disorders such as thalassemia and aplastic anaemia.
We work to improve the chances of survival for patients in India and around the world by increasing awareness about blood stem cell transplantation and encouraging more individuals to register as potential stem cell donors.
Our goal is simple, yet urgent: to give every patient in need the possibility of a matching donor—and a potential second chance at life.
Harf, channelled his business acumen into a solution: build a
larger pool of unrelated donors so that no patient would face
such odds alone. Peter founded DKMS with her transplant
doctor, Dr. Gerhard Ehninger. In the first year alone, the
registry grew rapidly from 3,000 to 68,000 potential donors.
Though Mechtild did not survive, her legacy lives on in Peter’s
promise to ensure that every patient has the chance to find a
matching donor. Today, Peter and his daughter, Katharina
Harf (Vice Chairwoman of the DKMS Foundation Board),
continue that mission. DKMS is now the world’s largest
network of blood stem cell donors, working globally and in India to give patients hope and time.
Why Should Your Company Be Part of This Mission?
As a corporate partner, your organization has the power to drive real impact. You become part of a life-changing mission by supporting donor drives, employee engagement initiatives, or awareness campaigns. Together, we can
Strengthen India’s donor pool and improve patient outcomes Could be Pics with this messages
Empower your employees to make a meaningful difference
Align your CSR efforts with
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)s
Demonstrate your organization’s
commitment to health equity and
social responsibility
We invite you to join us in our vision to ensure no patient is left waiting for a matching donor. Let’s
work together to give more people a second chance at life.
Changing the Odds for Blood Disorder Patients in India
Every five minutes, someone in India is diagnosed with a blood
cancer or a severe blood disorder like thalassemia. These are
not just numbers; they are real people: children, young adults,
parents waiting for a second chance at life.
India is believed to be the Thalassemia Capital of the world, with
thousands of children born each year requiring regular blood
transfusions and lifelong care. For many, the only curative
treatment is a blood stem cell transplant. The same is true for
patients with certain types of leukaemia, lymphoma, and aplastic
anaemia.
But here's the challenge :
The chances of finding a matching stem cell donor are just
1 in a million. And because matching depends heavily on
genetic background, patients of Indian origin are far less
likely to find a compatible donor due to the low number of
registered donors from India. This is where each one of us
can help change the odds.
By increasing the number of registered stem cell donors in
India, we can give more patients a second chance at life. A
simple cheek swab is all it takes to join the registry. If the
potential donor is matched with someone in need, they
could be the patient’s best and sometimes only chance for
survival.
At DKMS, we are working to bridge this gap. But we can’t
do it alone. With more individuals and organizations
stepping forward, we can build a stronger, more diverse
donor pool and change the odds from 1 in a million to a
chance within reach. Together, we can help India’s patients
find their match and a second chance at life.
Facts
