•_Sister donates Bone Marrow to Gift a Life to Brother Suffering from Thalassemia; Narayana Hospital successfully conducts a BMT to give a New Lease of Life_
*Kolkata August 2024:* The festival of Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the deep affection and sense of ensured protection between siblings. Sisters tie Rakhi to their brothers and ensure their loved brother’s safety and well-being. For Anirban Sen (Name Changed) this Raksha Bandhan is different. Emotions run high as he was gifted a life by his sister who donated bone marrow (stem cell transplant). Anirban, a little boy from Khanakul, West Bengal, faced an uphill battle from the tender age of four months when he was diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia Major. But, his older sister, Saraswati (name changed), just 15 years old, stepped forward. Knowing the risks but driven by love, she underwent HLA testing, praying to be the match her brother so desperately needed. Finally, Anirban underwent a successful bone marrow (stem cell) transplant at Narayana Hospital Howrah and now as an energetic boy, he is all set to celebrate this Raksha Bandhan with unprecedented joy, enthusiasm.
This tale of transplant manifest sacrifice and courage. It not only highlights the enduring bond between a brother and sister but also showcases the life-saving potential of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT).
Anirban’s life-threatening disease made his young life a cycle of bi-weekly blood transfusions, leaving him frail and his future uncertain. His parents, desperate for a cure, found their way to Narayana Hospital Howrah, where doctors recommended BMT as the only path to a permanent solution.
In a true act of sibling affection and driven by love, Saraswati, underwent HLA testing, praying to be the match her brother so desperately needed. When the results came back as a perfect 10/10 match, her family’s tears of worry turned into tears of hope. Without hesitation, Saraswati agreed to donate her bone marrow (stem cell), determined to give her brother not just a chance at survival, but the gift of a future.
Under a team of experienced experts at Narayana Hospital Howrah, the transplant took place. The procedure, led by Dr. Sisir Kumar Patra, Consultant Haematology, Haemato Oncology & BMT, with support from a team of specialists including Prof (Dr.) Rajib De (Consultant and Clinical Lead – BMT), Dr. Vivek Agarwala, Dr. Chandrakanth MV, Dr. Soumya Mukherjee, Dr. Biplabendu Talukdar and Dr. Rupasri Chakrabarti, was a success. After weeks of careful monitoring and recovery, Anirban was discharged full of happiness and energy—his sister’s love literally coursing through his veins.
*Mr. Tapani Ghosh, Facility Director at Narayana Hospital, Howrah,* said, “We are deeply honored to have been part of Anirban’s recovery. This successful BMT is a testament to the power of advanced medical care combined with the unwavering love of family. We salute Saraswati’s courage and wish the family a very happy Raksha Bandhan. Saraswati’s resolve to save her brother encouraged us to go for a successful advanced BMT procedure with compassionate care.”
As the nation celebrates Raksha Bandhan, Anirban and Saraswati’s story stands as a powerful reminder of the length’s siblings will go to protect and support each other. Their journey through fear, uncertainty, and ultimately, triumph, is a beacon of hope for families facing similar battles. It’s a story that teaches us that the strongest bonds are those forged in love and sacrifice, and sometimes, those bonds can be the very thing that saves a life.
