DKMS BMST Foundation India, a well-known non-profit organisation dedicated to combating blood cancer and other blood illnesses such as thalassaemia and aplastic anaemia, has made considerable progress in its quest to better the lives of patients in India and elsewhere. DKMS BMST, a collaboration between BMST (Bangalore Medical Services Trust) and DKMS, one of the world's largest blood stem cell donation centres, has been at the forefront of efforts to save lives around the world by raising awareness about blood stem cell transplantation and registering potential donors.

In its recently issued Global Impact Report 2023, DKMS emphasises the impact of its activities from the previous year. The report, which includes statistics, tales, and innovations, emphasises the organization's ongoing success in broadening its reach and improving survival rates for blood cancer patients worldwide. "What started as a private initiative in Germany in 1991 has grown into one of the world's leading medical and scientific organisations for blood cancer patients," says Dr. Elke Neujahr, the global CEO of the DKMS Group.

DKMS had exceptional growth in 2023, extending its global network of potential donors to more than 12 million people across seven nations and five continents. This large donor pool is critical in the fight against blood cancer, as stem cell transplants are frequently the only means of survival for patients diagnosed with these life-threatening illnesses.
DKMS sponsored stem cell donations for more than 8,300 people in 60 countries, giving them a second chance at life. Notably, 409 people in medically disadvantaged countries like India and South Africa were able to receive life-saving stem cell donations because of DKMS's international charity programs, which aim to improve access to transplantation in low-income locations.
In 2023, three new collection centres were opened in Germany and Chile, solidifying DKMS's ability to handle the complete process, from donor registration to stem cell donation, while maintaining the highest quality and care standards. This expansion is part of DKMS's larger efforts to broaden donor diversity and improve access to life-saving medicines.
One of the most notable successes highlighted in the paper is the establishment of the DKMS Stem Cell Bank in Germany. This cutting-edge facility is the first in the world to provide Adult Donor Cryopreserved Units (ADCUs), which enable stem cells to be cryopreserved and kept after the initial donation. These stem cells, which are available within 72 hours of request, can significantly improve the chances of survival for patients in need of a transplant. With this innovation, a single stem cell donation has the potential to save two lives.
Dr. Neujahr continues, "We've made incredible progress in recent years, and 2023 was a record year. We have developed tremendously and broadened our effect for patients worldwide." DKMS is on track to accomplish its ambitious objective of delivering a second shot at life to 12,000 patients per year through stem cell donations by 2030.
The goal of DKMS extends beyond merely boosting stem cell donations. The organisation takes a holistic approach to changing the therapeutic environment for blood cancer patients. This strategy is based on three pillars: increasing stem cell donations, enhancing transplant access, and expanding cell therapy research and development.
This aim is central to the work of DKMS's Clinical Trials Unit, which works in tandem with the DKMS Life Science Lab in Dresden. The lab, known as the world's most powerful HLA typing laboratory, is critical in analysing and typing potential donors; it processes up to 7,000 samples daily. This section also oversees the Collaborative Biobank, a global research platform that provides resources for scientific studies and thereby enhances medical knowledge and patient care.
"We are confident that with our skilled team and all of our supporters, we will achieve our ambitious goals," says Dr. Neujahr, reflecting on the organisation's progress and future ambitions.
As DKMS expands its donor network and improves access to life-saving treatments, the foundation remains dedicated to combating blood malignancies worldwide. The DKMS BMST Foundation India's efforts, along with those of DKMS worldwide, demonstrate the potential of collaboration, innovation, and dedication to improving health outcomes for blood cancer patients.
With the expansion of the donor pool, continued advances in medical research, and a focus on broadening access to treatment, the foundation is making a long-term difference in the lives of those affected by blood disorders, giving them hope and a second chance at life.