NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT

Atlanta, GA, September 9, 2025: For sufferers battling blood cancers corresponding to leukemia and lymphoma, a stem cell transplant usually represents the one hope of survival. However for hundreds of Indian People, that hope stays alarmingly slim because of the stark underrepresentation of Indians and different South Asians within the nationwide bone marrow registry.

Recognizing this hole, the American Affiliation of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has launched the first-ever nationwide marketing campaign to develop the stem cell donor pool amongst Indians. The trouble, initiated in 2024 beneath the management of AAPI’s speedy previous president Dr. Satheesh Kathula, marks a essential turning level for households who’ve lengthy been pressured to shoulder the burden of organizing donor drives on their very own.

Why Illustration Issues within the Registry

Discovering a suitable donor hinges on Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing, a genetic marker that’s inherited and extremely ethnicity-specific. Sufferers of Indian descent are much more more likely to match with Indian donors—however the present donor pool is alarmingly small.

“Seventy % of sufferers lack a household match. For Indians, the chances are even decrease because of the restricted donor pool,” defined Dr. Krishan Kumar, AAPI Vice President-Elect.

Till now, many Indian American households in disaster have needed to juggle each the emotional toll of a most cancers prognosis and the logistical problem of discovering donors inside their communities. AAPI’s unified, nationwide initiative—organized in partnership with the Nationwide Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the world’s largest stem cell registry—goals to alter that.

Constructing Momentum Throughout U.S. Communities

Since November 2024, AAPI chapters and native scholar teams have organized stem cell drives in cities throughout the nation, together with Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Charlotte, and San Jose. Highschool and faculty college students are taking part in a pivotal function in mobilizing their friends, with AAPI providing volunteer certificates as encouragement.

“That is about making a tradition of consciousness,” mentioned Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, AAPI President. “Stem cell transplants save lives, however HLA matching will depend on ethnicity. By stepping ahead, Indian People can assist be sure that extra of our group members discover the donor they desperately want.”

Dr. Hetal Gor, Chair of AAPI’s Board of Trustees, added, “You would be somebody’s solely match—their solely hope. Registering is a critical promise, however the donation course of is protected and complication-free.”

Increasing the Effort to India

With momentum constructing within the U.S., AAPI is now taking the marketing campaign world. In partnership with the International Affiliation of Indian Medical College students and DATRI, a stem cell financial institution in India, AAPI will launch drives at its International Well being Summit in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in January 2026. Plans are underway to develop the marketing campaign throughout medical colleges all through India.

“Registration is straightforward—only a cheek swab equipment and some particulars. Your knowledge is saved securely,” defined Dr. Meher Medavaram, AAPI President-Elect.

For these matched, the donation course of entails 20–30 hours unfold over 4 to 6 weeks, with all prices lined. “Discovering a match is very tough for South Asians. Each donor helps save lives,” emphasised Dr. Soumya Nerevetla, AAPI Treasurer.

A Name to Motion

The underrepresentation of South Asians within the bone marrow registry stays a urgent well being fairness challenge. With out increasing the donor base, too many Indian American sufferers will proceed to lose their battles towards blood cancers just because no appropriate match may very well be discovered.

AAPI leaders are calling on people, households, and group organizations to host drives, register, and unfold consciousness.

“You would be the one who offers somebody a second likelihood at life,” mentioned Dr. Sashi Kuppala, Chair of AAPI’s Stem Cell Drive.

For extra info or to arrange a drive, contact Sashikuppala@yahoo.com or go to www.aapiusa.org.