AIIMS Nagpur successfully conducted stem cell donation awareness drive in collaboration
with DKMS-BMST, a non-profit organisation on 30 th July, 2022 (Saturday). The event was
attended by director and CEO AIIMS Nagpur Maj. Gen. Dr. Vibha Dutta (SM), dean
academics Dr. Mrunal Phatak and associate dean Dr. Rasika Gadkari, MBBS students, post
graduate students, faculty and staff of AIIMS Nagpur.
The motive of the drive was to spread awareness about life-saving volunteer stem cell donation and to motivate the attendees to register as potential stem cell donor which can help reduce the time gap between finding a suitable donor and bone marrow transplant for blood diseases patients in need. The faster a suitable donor is found, the better the chances of survival for patients.
The event was a huge success in registering 65 potential stem cell donors in global database of DKMS-BMST. The initiative was taken by second year MBBS student Mr. Tanul Jain (student co-ordinator), working under mentorship of faculties Dr. Richa Juneja (Hematopathologist) and Dr. Rahul Arora (Medical hematologist) for this awareness drive in collaboration with team of DKMS BMST. It was a wonderful experience for Tanul, who has already registered as potential stem cell donor in the past, being a volunteer for a good cause. According to him, being able to contribute to society from the start of medical career is very essence of healthcare profession and he feels honoured to have the opportunity and supporting and encouraging mentors and professors.
The team of DKMS-BMST, Nancy Bansal and Nandini Sarkar (Senior Associate Donor Recruitment) through there wonderful and informative presentation were able to motivate attendees to register as potential donors. The attendees were enthusiastic and appreciated the initiative. They hope to match as potential donor and be able to save lives.
The initiative helped in motivating many MBBS students to take novel steps to contribute to healthcare in the future. Director and CEO AIIMS Nagpur Maj. Gen. Dr. Vibha Dutta (SM) herself addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of empathy in budding doctors. She insisted that such initiatives help MBBS students to contribute in some patient’s life but also to serve as role models for the society.
