If you can give a child a 75% chance of survival from cancer, will you do it? 

Annually 120,000 Indians are diagnosed with blood cancer with the majortiy of them being children under 12 years of age. Almost all children die because they have no access to affordable treatment. About 10,000 children are born with Thalassemia. A family has to spend Rs 1-2 lakhs annually to give the child necessary blood transfusions. 

Stem cells from umbilical-cord blood and bone marrow donors can save 60 to 80% of children with Thalassemia and blood cancers. Transplant can be done only if there is a HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) compatibility, meaning that the cells donors must be genetically compatible. Almost all HLA type tests for patients in India, till recently, was done in the US. This can catapult the expenses by Rs 20-30 lakhs. This also wastes precious time, since the possibility of finding a compatible donor for an Indian is highest in India. 

A bank of stem cells in India would make it easier to find compatible samples within the country. Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre aims to build a bank of stem cells for HLA typing within the country for quick and affordable treatment for everyone.

About Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre

In 2013, Jeevan established a high resolution HLA typing laboratory with the support of Tata Trust, United Way of Chennai, Consulate General of Australia and a loan from ICICI Bank. Till date has Jeevan team has done over 5000 HLA typing for donors and over 1000 for patients - free or on cost recovery basis. One of the major beneficiaries are children with Thalassemia managed by Sankalp Foundation, Bangalore. All typings are done free of cost for this organisation.

How You Can Help

Each HLA typing costs Rs. 6,000 and Jeevan will offer HLA typing for patients with Thalassemia and their siblings free of cost. We need your support for 2,500 free HLA typings for deserving cases.