Losing a child is never easy. So, when Shia’s parents came to know that their 9-month-old daughter was diagnosed with thalassemia, it wasn’t easy for the couple.
Thalassemia, a condition in which the body is unable to make enough hemoglobin, is a difficult disease for patients and families. While sharing their struggle with TNM, Shia’s parents mentioned:
“Shia is the best thing to have ever happened to us. We were shattered when she fell sick.”
Because of the body’s inability to make enough hemoglobin, the body cells of thalassemia patients are often deprived of oxygen as hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.
The doctors, soon, told these parents that the only way to save their daughter was a bone marrow transplant from a donor. During the process of a bone marrow transplant, the patient’s immune system is wiped off before the introduction of the new bone marrow, which contains stem cells to build a new and healthy immune system.
After a year of search, the family met Debojyoti Banik, a Bengaluru techie whose bone marrow was a perfect match. Seeing his mother struggling with cancer, Debojyoti was inspired by the intense desire to bring a positive impact in some one’s life. While sharing his experience with TNM, Debojyoti added:
“I had personally seen what a family can go through during the period of medical procedures. Not only the patient but the entire family collapses. This motivated me to register as a donor and that is something others can do as well because nothing is more noble than saving someone’s life.”
Sharing how stem cell donation is the best gift that we can give to any family, Shia’s father, Saifulla Kobir mentioned:
“With such donations, the contributor not only gives a new leash of life to the patient, but also to the entire family. I really urge the younger generation to learn about this and spread the message across.”
At IFORHER, we are in awe of Debojyoti and his immense contribution. Like a true hero, he gave not only a new life to this 4-year-old but also gifted her parents a new chance at life!
We hope his story will inspire many to come forward and rescue others from their struggle against cancer.
