DKMS Honours Bengaluru's Lifesavers in Blood Stem Cell Donation Drive
The DKMS Foundation recently hosted the DKMS Lifesaver Honours in Bengaluru. The event celebrated partners, supporters, and medical professionals for their contributions to blood stem cell donation. Key figures from healthcare, media, and law enforcement attended the ceremony to recognise outstanding efforts in patient care and donor registration. The ceremony brought together influential voices to strengthen India’s blood stem cell donor registry. Among the guests were Karthik Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for Bengaluru City, and Mandira Bedi, actor and fitness advocate. Their presence highlighted the importance of public engagement in expanding donor networks.
Afshan Yasmeen, Deputy Editor of *The Hindu* in Bengaluru, received an award for her impactful reporting on blood cancer and blood disorders. Her work has helped raise awareness about the urgent need for donors. Dr. Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of DKMS, stressed the critical gap in finding matching donors. She called for stronger collaboration between organisations, hospitals, and communities to improve survival rates for patients. The event also honoured institutions and individuals for their dedication. Manipal Institute of Technology (MAHE) in Manipal was recognised for driving youth donor registration, while EXL Technologies, India, received praise for its corporate social responsibility initiatives. BMST Bengaluru earned an award for maintaining high standards in donor care and stem cell collection. Dr. Latha Jagannathan, Medical Director and Managing Trustee of BMST Bengaluru, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Honour. Her decades-long commitment to fighting blood cancer and disorders has saved countless lives. Additionally, ten medical professionals were felicitated for their expert guidance in stem cell transplantation. Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS India, thanked all supporters. He emphasised that their collective efforts give patients a second chance at life.
The DKMS Lifesaver Honours underscored the progress made in donor registration and patient support. Awards were given to media professionals, healthcare providers, and organisations for their vital roles. The foundation continues to push for greater awareness and collaboration to address the ongoing need for blood stem cell donors in India.
