32-Year-Old Engineer Donates Stem Cells Twice, Giving Two Blood Cancer Patients a Second Chance at Life
A software engineer Satish Reddy achieved a rare feat by donating his stem cells twice through DKMS Foundation India, giving two different patients battling blood cancer a second chance at life. He was felicitated at a special event in Hyderabad, where DKMS Foundation India also hosted a fireside chat to highlight the urgent need for more stem cell donors in India.
Satish first registered as a potential donor in July 2016 during a local event. Five years later, in June 2021, he was matched with a blood cancer patient in India and donated his stem cells, helping the patient recover. In 2023, he met his recipient in Ahmedabad during a donor–patient meeting, a deeply emotional experience that underscored the life-saving impact of donation. In a rare occurrence, Satish was matched again with a different patient in September 2024 and went on to donate his stem cells for the second time in January 2025.
Reflecting on his journey, Satish Reddy said, “Donating stem cells is a small act that can create a huge impact. I was genuinely surprised when I received the call that I was a match for another patient. With the support of my parents, I donated for the second time and would be happy to do it again. There’s no greater reward than knowing you have helped save a life, and meeting the recipient and seeing them well makes everything worthwhile.”
DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting blood cancer and other blood disorders such as thalassemia and aplastic anaemia, hosted a fireside chat with blood cancer specialist Dr. S.K. Gupta and DKMS India Executive Chairman Patrick Paul. The engaging discussion highlighted the urgent need for more stem cell donors in India, emphasizing how each registration can give patients battling blood cancer a second chance at life, while also raising awareness about the life-saving impact of altruistic blood stem cell donation.
Dr. S.K. Gupta, HOD – Clinical Hematologist, Hemato-Oncologist, and BMT Specialist at Continental Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, spoke on “Blood Cancer Incidence in India: Challenges and the Road Ahead”, focusing on early detection, treatment, and ongoing challenges faced by patients in India. Dr. Gupta said, “Awareness is the first step in the fight against blood cancer. India ranks third globally in blood cancer cases, after the US and China, with over 100,000 people diagnosed each year. Stem cell transplants are a proven, life-saving treatment, yet many patients and families hesitate due to myths or misconceptions. Every year, more than 70,000 people in India lose their lives to blood cancer, but a registered stem cell donor can make the difference between life and death. Early detection, timely treatment, and expanding access to stem cell transplants are critical to improving outcomes. I urge all eligible individuals to register and help give patients a second chance at life.”
