Only if we all work together can we make a difference in availability of stem cell donors for those in need
Adnaan Raza, Co-Founder and CEO
Who We Are
Desis For Life is a registered nonprofit organization under 501(c)(3) tax exemption status that aims to increase Desi representation on the marrow and stem cell registry. We are based out of St. Louis, MO but travel across the country to Desi events of all kinds to collect simple cheek swabs at these events and register them in 5 minutes or less.
Our Inspiration
My brothers and I started this organization after our cousin, Liyna Anwar, had unfortunately passed away from leukemia in 2020. She was unable to find donors that matched her HLA cell markers and this is largely due to the fact that South Asians make up less than 2% of the US registry. This means that for any Desi affected by blood cancer, the donor may very well be out there, but the chances of identifying them currently are slim to none. We work to not only register more Desis but to register all minorities because we know the difference that having increased representation can have in patient outcomes.
Why is this Important?
Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer. That is 480 people per day, 20 per hour! The likelihood of finding a bone marrow depends largely on ethnic background and match rates range widely from 29-79%. A suitable donor must have a high degree of overlap between the HLA, or cell markers, of the donor and recipient. Of the ~19 million qualified individuals who are registered through Be the Match's marrow and stem cell registry, less than 2% are of South Asian descent.
Am I eligible to donate?
In order to ensure the best possible outcomes for both the donor and the recipient, there are 3 qualifications that a donor should meet before donating:
- Between the ages of 18 to 40 years old
- Able to meet the health guidelines
- Be willing to donate to anyone
Ready to Donate?
Eligible donors can donate today! If you would like to donate and are not planning on seeing us at an upcoming event, please use one of the following 3 methods to sign up to receive a cheek swab kit to be completed in the privacy and comfort of your own home:
- Please use our included QR code
- Text "Desis" to 61474
- Use the link my.bethematch.org/desis
Our Partnership with Be The Match®
A collaboration with a well-reputed partner
Be the Match® have been responsible for managing the US marrow and stem cell registries for the last 35 years, the most diverse marrow registry in the world. We at Desis For Life looked around at who we would want to partner with both nationally and internationally to carry on Liyna's legacy. Be the Match was the clear choice and we have been working with them since 2021 to deliver swabs from minorities and increase representation in the national registry.
