Genebandhu
Genebandhu is a non-profit organisation dedicated to building a comprehensive National database of stem cell donors, which would help people suffering from devastating blood disorders like leukaemia, thalassaemia, aplastic anaemia, etc. have another chance at life. Stem cell donation can only be made by a donor who is genetically similar to the patient. Though there is a 25% chance of a sibling being a match, the rest 75% of the sufferers have a fair chance of finding an unrelated match.
Matching the patient’s genetic map against a database of willing voluntary donors can be a potential solution. A larger database means a higher probability of finding an unrelated genetic match. Countries like the US, Canada, Germany, etc., have their own database of stem cell donors. Although Genebandhu has access to these registries, it is difficult to find a match in them since the gene pool of the Indian population is quite conserved and diverse. Even if providence helps a patient find his potential match abroad, the ensuing monetary pressures and constraints involving the costs of stem cell transportation, medical tests, and treatment are beyond comprehension for most people.
Hence, a solution to these problems is creating an Indian donor database. Presently, Genebandhu has a limited database of around 0.2 million people which it is trying to expand by adding more donors from different parts of the country by spreading awareness.
Analysis of Stem cell donors across the world
1) Availability of blood stem cells is a challenge
| Country | Voluntary Stem Cell Donors | Population |
|---|---|---|
| France | 0.27 | 66.03 |
| Belgium | 0.09 | 11.2 |
| US | 8.2 | 318.9 |
| Germany | 5.9 | 80.62 |
| Hong Kong | 0.084 | 7.18 |
| Taiwan | 0.398 | 23.15 |
| United Kingdoms | 1 | 64.1 |
| Australia | 0.18 | 23.13 |
| India | 0.2 | 1260 |
References
External links
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