New Delhi, 13 January 2026: As the scent of popcorn and sesame fills the air across Delhi-NCR and the first Lohri bonfires are lit, a local physician is giving the region a profound reason to celebrate "new beginnings."

Dr. Aditya Gupta, a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) specialist in Delhi, has transitioned from healer to lifesaver by donating his own blood stem cells to a patient in urgent need. In a year where the festive sentiment is focused on spiritual renewal and the ‘turning of the page,’ Dr. Gupta’s journey—from the loss of his father to the birth of his first child in 2025—embodies the true spirit of the season.

Lohri is traditionally a time to discard the old and celebrate the harvest of the new. For Dr. Gupta, the act of donation was a way to ‘burn away’ the helplessness he felt years ago when his father succumbed to leukemia.

"Losing my father was a void that never closed," says Dr. Gupta. "But as I welcomed my first newborn this past year, I realized that life is a circle. By donating through DKMS Foundation, I wasn't just giving cells; I was ensuring another family didn't have to face the coldness of loss during a time meant for warmth."

Dr. Gupta donated his blood stem cells in June 2024 after being identified as a match through DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation that works to connect patients with voluntary blood stem cell donors and raises awareness about blood stem cell transplantation. For a doctor who has spent years treating patients requiring transplants, the experience carried deep personal significance.

While Dr. Gupta routinely treats patients with blood cancers and blood disorders, becoming a donor gave him a new perspective, showing how a single registration can have a life-changing impact. His journey reflects both sides of blood stem cell transplantation: the clinical precision involved and the human compassion behind it.

Currently, only 0.09% of the Indian population is registered as donors. In a country of billions, the gap remains a stark reality.

“This festive season is about community warmth,” says Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS Foundation India. “Just as we gather around the Lohri fire to support one another, we need our youth to come together to bridge the donor gap. Every five minutes, a life in India is changed by a blood cancer diagnosis. Dr. Gupta’s story proves that the 'second chance' we pray for during these festivals is actually in our own hands.”

“As part of its ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about blood stem cell donation, DKMS Foundation India recently participated as the Social Welfare Partner at The Burrah Project festival in Delhi. During the event, Dr. Gupta interacted with members of the public, sharing his experience and encouraging people to understand the importance of donor registration.

"People think donating is a surgical ordeal," Dr. Gupta explains. "In reality, it is as simple and safe as a long blood donation. It doesn't disrupt your life, but it ensures someone else's life continues. This festival, as we speak 'sweet words' (Til-gul), let’s also perform a sweet action."

Through real-life donor stories and public engagement initiatives, DKMS Foundation, India, continues to reinforce a simple but critical message: a single registration can one day give someone a second chance at life.

To register as a potential stem cell donor, you must be a healthy Indian adult between 18 and 55. When you are ready to register, all you need to do is complete a consent form and swab the inside of your cheeks to collect your tissue cells. Your tissue sample is then sent to the lab to be analysed for your HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) and listed anonymously on the international search platform for matching stem cell donors. If you’re eligible, register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-india.org/register