Category: cancer care

DKMS Foundation India Launches Free HLA Typing for Children with Thalassaemia

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

IT Professional from Karnataka Gives 12-Year-Old Girl a New Lease of Life Through Stem Cell Donation

Bengaluru, May 7, 2026: Ahead of World Thalassaemia Day, an emotional meeting between a 12-year-old thalassaemia survivor and her stem cell donor highlighted the life-changing impact of stem cell transplantation, as DKMS Foundation India announced free HLA typing for children below 12 years suffering from transfusion-dependent thalassaemia across India.
Sameeksha, who battled beta thalassaemia major since infancy, met her donor Dilip K., a 27-year-old IT professional from Kolar, Karnataka, for the first time. What began as a routine stem cell donor registration during Dilip’s college days eventually turned into a life-saving match for the young girl.

Speaking during the interaction, Dilip said he had registered without fully realising the impact it could one day have. “Until now, she was only a match on paper. Meeting her today makes everything real,” he said.

The announcement of free HLA typing aims to improve access to stem cell transplantation for children suffering from transfusion-dependent thalassaemia, a condition that requires lifelong blood transfusions unless cured through transplant.

DKMS Foundation India also extended financial assistance to Sameeksha’s family, which struggled to afford the treatment expenses. Through its patient funding initiative, the organisation supports economically weaker families in accessing stem cell transplantation when other financial sources fall short.
Expressing relief and gratitude, Sameeksha’s father said the family had waited for years in the hope of finding a suitable donor.
“There were moments when everything felt uncertain, but we never gave up. Meeting Dilip today is something we had only dreamed about,” he said.
Now recovering well, Sameeksha says she is finally able to enjoy a normal childhood. “I feel happy now. I can play and go to school like other children,” she said with a smile.

Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS Foundation India, said access to treatment remains one of the biggest challenges for patients from lower-income backgrounds suffering from blood disorders and blood cancers. He said the organisation’s Access to Transplant programme was created to bridge this gap and provide life-saving support to deserving patients.

Dr. Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of DKMS Group, said the newly launched thalassaemia initiative is aimed at reducing barriers related to affordability and donor access. She noted that free HLA typing for children below 12 years would help families identify suitable donors at an early stage and improve chances of timely treatment.

Under the programme, DKMS conducts awareness and screening camps in partnership with NGOs and transplant centres across the country.

During these camps, patients and their family members provide buccal swab samples for HLA testing. If no matching donor is found within the family, DKMS facilitates free unrelated donor searches through its international registry.

Dr. Siddhesh Kalantri, Consultant Haematologist and Stem Cell Transplant Physician at BloodCare Hematology Clinic & Diagnostic Centre, said Sameeksha was diagnosed with beta thalassaemia major at a very young age. While regular medical care helped manage her condition, stem cell transplantation remained the only curative option.
“Finding a matched unrelated donor is never guaranteed.

When Dilip’s match was identified, it brought immense relief to the medical team and the family,” he said, adding that the case underlined the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment, and donor awareness.
India records more than 10,000 births affected by thalassaemia every year. Though blood transfusions help patients survive, stem cell transplantation remains the only permanent cure. However, finding a compatible donor continues to be a major challenge, particularly for Indian patients.

DKMS has urged healthy adults between 18 and 55 years of age to register as potential stem cell donors. The registration process involves filling out a consent form and providing a simple cheek swab sample for HLA testing. Eligible donors are then anonymously listed on the international donor registry to help patients searching for a match.

Sameeksha’s story now stands as a powerful reminder that a single donor registration can one day save a life and restore hope to an entire family.

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“Age Is Not Immunity in Breast Cancer, Emphasises Dr. Jayanthi S Thumsi”

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In my clinical practice, I often encounter a persistent misconception-that breast cancer is largely a disease affecting postmenopausal women. While it is true that the overall risk increases with age, a significant number of patients continue to present at a younger age, and quite often at a more advanced stage.

In many of these cases, the early signs are either underestimated or overlooked, primarily due to an age-related bias that lowers suspicion among both patients and, at times, clinicians. This delay in recognising symptoms can adversely affect outcomes.

It is important to emphasise that clinical vigilance should never be guided by age alone. Any persistent breast symptom-whether it is a lump, a skin change, or nipple discharge-warrants thorough evaluation, irrespective of the patient’s age.

Early and timely assessment remains critical, as it continues to be the most effective way to improve outcomes and save lives, says Dr. Jayanti S Thumsi.

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ARC Cancer Hospital adopts ‘middle-path’ model to make cancer care affordable in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, April 12: In a healthcare system often marked by stark contrasts, the newly inaugurated Arion Radiotherapy & Oncology Centre (ARC Cancer Hospital) has introduced what it describes as a “middle-path” model aimed at balancing affordability with global standards of cancer treatment.

Cancer care in India has long placed patients in a difficult position-choosing between expensive private hospitals offering advanced treatment and public institutions where lower costs are frequently accompanied by long waiting periods and overstretched infrastructure. This dichotomy has particularly burdened the middle class, both financially and emotionally.

Seeking to address this gap, ARC Cancer Hospital proposes to offer comprehensive oncology services at costs estimated to be 20–30% lower than those at leading corporate hospitals, while maintaining comparable standards of care and technology.

Dr. Srihari R. Shapur, Founder and Managing Director, said the hospital was established with the objective of making quality cancer treatment accessible to a wider section of society. He noted that efforts are also being made to extend services to beneficiaries under government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and for those below the poverty line.

The hospital provides multi-disciplinary cancer care under one roof, including surgical oncology, chemotherapy, and advanced radiotherapy. Chairman Dr. Dinesh Mavinahalli said the centre has been equipped with modern infrastructure and supported by a team of experienced doctors available round the clock to ensure continuity of care.

Emphasising the need to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, the facility has been designed to ensure quicker access and shorter waiting times, along with personalised care for patients. Medical Director Dr. Samskruthi P. Murthy said the use of advanced equipment enables timely and well-planned treatment.

The hospital has also integrated international tumour boards involving oncology specialists from the United States, enabling collaborative case reviews and access to globally benchmarked treatment protocols, including emerging therapies such as immunotherapy.

In addition to catering to middle-income patients, ARC has initiated radiotherapy services under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) scheme. Support from T.B. Jayachandra, Special Representative of the Government of Karnataka, has been extended to facilitate treatment for underprivileged patients, reflecting a degree of public-private cooperation in improving access to cancer care.

The inauguration was attended by Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Uday Garudachar, Dr. Mohammed Maqsood Imran Rashadi of Jamia Masjid, and Dr. Maheshwar Rao, among others.

With India’s cancer burden continuing to rise, the need for timely, high-quality, and affordable treatment remains pressing. ARC’s approach raises a broader question for the healthcare sector-whether advanced cancer care can be made both scalable and affordable without compromising on quality.

While the model’s long-term impact will depend on patient outcomes and sustained affordability, the initiative signals an attempt to bridge the long-standing divide between cost and quality in cancer care.

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Blankets distributed to families of paediatric cancer patients at Kidwai

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BENGALURU: In a gesture of compassion and community support, dental surgeon and philanthropist Dr. Nida, along with her friends, donated 100 high-quality blankets for children undergoing cancer treatment at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO).

The blankets were distributed to parents of paediatric cancer patients in the Kapoor Ward of the institute by Abdul Ahad, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Director (Security & Vigilance), BMTC, on Thursday.

Director of KMIO, Dr. Naveen T., was present on the occasion, along with Dr. Nadimul Hoda, Head of the Department of Oral Oncology, and Dr. Arun Kumar, Head of Paediatric Oncology. Dr. Nida also participated in the distribution programme.

Hospital authorities and attendees described the initiative as a thoughtful and timely intervention, particularly for families who often endure long and challenging treatment periods under difficult circumstances.

They noted that such acts of generosity not only provide material relief but also offer emotional support to patients and their caregivers. The organisers expressed hope that more individuals and organisations would come forward to extend assistance to cancer patients and their families.

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Ballari steps up cancer fight with awareness drive, rural outreach in focus

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Ballari hosts cancer awareness camp; 250 screened, focus on early detection

Ballari: A cancer awareness and detection camp was organised by the Sneha Lady Officers Club in Ballari on March 25, drawing significant participation from the local community. Around 250 people were screened during the initiative, which aimed to promote early detection and preventive healthcare.

Harris Sumair, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, Ballari, attended the camp as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he underscored the critical role of cancer prevention and regular screening in reducing disease burden at the district level. He highlighted ongoing initiatives under his leadership to strengthen cancer control measures and improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Emphasising early diagnosis, he noted that timely intervention remains key to saving lives.

Speaking at the event, Dr Nadimul Hoda, Head of Oral Oncology, elaborated on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and its direct link to oral cancers. He urged the public to adopt healthier lifestyles and seek medical advice at the earliest signs of symptoms.

Dr A S Mahantesh, senior medical officer in-charge of the CDC, stressed the importance of preventive measures and early detection in managing cancer effectively. He also briefed attendees on various government schemes available at Kidwai for cancer patients, ensuring access to affordable treatment and support.

The camp saw a team of doctors and healthcare staff conducting screenings and offering guidance, reflecting a coordinated effort to raise awareness and strengthen grassroots-level healthcare outreach in the district.

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