The initiative, conducted in collaboration with leading institutions in the Dakshin Kannada region such as Srinivasa University, St. Joseph’s Engineering College, Canara Engineering College, Mangala Group of Institutions, Vijaya College, Alva’s Group of Institutions, Karavali College of Pharmacy, and Dr. P. Dayananda Pai – P. Satisha Pai Government First Grade College, witnessed strong participation from students, faculty, and volunteers. The drive highlighted growing awareness around stem cell donation and its life-saving potential for patients suffering from blood cancers and disorders such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia.
Students, faculty, and volunteers across Mangalore colleges actively joined the awareness drive, stepping forward to register as potential stem cell donors. At St. Joseph’s Engineering College, Mangalore, participation reached significant levels, contributing to the record number of registrations achieved during the week-long initiative.
Addressing the importance of the campaign, Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman, DKMS India, stated, “Every new donor who joins the registry represents hope for a patient waiting for a match. But this drive means more than numbers. A stem cell match is determined by genetic markers — and those markers vary with ancestry and ethnicity. When we register donors from a community as vibrant and diverse as Mangalore, we are not just adding to a list; we are expanding the circle of hope for patients whose genetic profile may only match with someone from this very region. Diversity in our registry is not a goal — it is a matter of life and death for patients who have no other option.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Ms. Prathibha K N, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and NSS Coordinator, St. Joseph’s Engineering College, Mangalore, said, “The DKMS awareness sessions, conducted as part of our NSS activity, were highly informative and impactful, clearly explaining how stem cell donation can save the lives of patients battling diseases such as leukemia. The sessions also helped address common misconceptions, and we saw genuine curiosity among students translate into action, with many stepping forward to register. Having registered myself as a donor last year, I deeply value the importance of such initiatives. More than the numbers, this drive helped build empathy and a lasting sense of social responsibility among young people.”
The need for such initiatives remains critical. In India, one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer or blood disorder every five minutes, and nearly 70% of patients requiring a stem cell transplant depend on unrelated donors. However, with only 0.09% of the eligible population currently registered as stem cell donors, large-scale youth-led drives continue to play a vital role in bridging the country’s donor gap.
With over 2,50,000 registered donors in India and over 250 lives already impacted through stem cell donations, DKMS Foundation India continues to strengthen the country’s donor pool. Sustained student-led participation remains a key factor in improving match possibilities for patients from diverse genetic backgrounds.
Individuals aged 18–55 in good health can register as potential donors at www.dkms-india.org/register-now.
DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation, remains dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia. The organisation aims to improve the situation of patients in India and across the world by raising awareness about blood stem cell transplantation and registering potential blood stem cell donors.
The record-breaking drive in Mangalore underscores the critical role of youth engagement and regional diversity in expanding donor registries, reinforcing hope for patients awaiting life-saving stem cell matches.
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