Mumbai, India | February 5: On World Cancer Day, Meghana Raj Sarja, a prominent Indian actress known for her work across Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, and DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders such as thalassemia and aplastic anaemia, together call upon mothers and families across India to support support their children aged18 years and above who choose to register as potential blood stem cell donors.

As part of this awareness initiative, Meghana features in a heartfelt Kannada video https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUUqnr5j-7o/?igsh=MXA1cW0yaHBjYXc0 message on her Instagram channel, addressing mothers directly — acknowledging their instinct to protect their children, while gently encouraging them to learn more about blood stem cell donation and support informed decisions made by their adult children.

Speaking from the perspective of a mother, Meghana highlights a powerful reality: for many blood cancer patients and those with serious blood disorders, a blood stem cell transplant is the only life-saving treatment option. However, finding a matching donor remains extremely rare, with chances as low as one in a million. In her message, Meghana reassures families by addressing common concerns associated with blood stem cell donation. She emphasizes that blood stem cell donation is not the same as organ donation, is a safe and voluntary process, similar to platelet donation, and that donors do not face long-term health issues, weakness, or impact on fertility. The body naturally regenerates donated blood stem cells.

“I cannot imagine the pain that mothers of blood cancer and blood disorder patients go through every single day. At the same time, I also understand the apprehension that comesto  a donor’s mother’s mind, the mixed emotions filled with fear, the questions, and the instinct to protect. Mothers are often the first emotional anchor for their children. When adult children make an informed decision to register as potential blood stem cell donors, a mother’s support can make a world of difference — not only to them, but also to a patient somewhere waiting for a second chance at life. I truly believe this is the need of the hour. Instead of grappling with uncertainty or fear, mothers must choose awareness, understanding, and compassion,” said Meghana Raj Sarja.

Through this collaboration, DKMS Foundation India aims to shift the conversation from fear and uncertainty to awareness and informed decision-making, particularly among families. By appealing to mothers, the initiative recognises their role as guides and pillars of strength when their children step forward to help save a life.

Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman at DKMS in India, said, “We appreciate Meghana Raj Sarja for lending her voice to this critical cause. Her credibility and connection with families through her body of work in cinemas, especially mothers, allows this message to reach people at a very human level. Awareness around blood stem cell donation is not just about individuals. It is about families making informed, supportive decisions together.

He also added that, “When mothers encourage and stand by their adult children who choose to register as potential donors, it creates a powerful ripple effect. This support can significantly strengthen India’s stem cell donor registry, which currently has only 0.09% of the eligible population, helping us overcome the current “genetic bottleneck” and giving more patients a fair chance at finding a life-saving match. If mothers lead this change, the impact on donor registrations and on patient outcomes will be significant. This can be truly transformative.”

Who can register?

Anyone between the age of 18-55 in general good health, with a BMI under 40, and not already registered, can sign up as a potential donor.

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. If you’re eligible, register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-india.org/register