THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 27, 2026

On a day when the nation reflects on service and sacrifice, an Indian Army soldier has shown that duty extends far beyond the uniform. Havildar Sukhwinder Singh, a career serviceman committed to safeguarding the country, recently completed a profoundly personal mission — donating his blood stem cells to help a patient battling a life-threatening blood disorder.

Marking Republic Day, DKMS Foundation India highlighted Singh’s inspiring journey to underscore how a simple decision — made years earlier — can offer someone a precious second chance at life. His story is a powerful reminder that service to the nation can also take the form of compassion and patience.

Singh registered as a potential blood stem cell donor in 2019 during a patient appeal drive for a young leukemia patient. Although he was not a match at the time, he chose to remain on the registry, quietly carrying a promise that could be called upon at any moment. For more than six years, that commitment stood firm.

In December 2025, the long-awaited call arrived. Singh was identified as a perfect match for another patient in urgent need of a transplant. Without hesitation, he stepped forward to honour the pledge he had made years ago, undergoing the donation process and offering renewed hope to someone fighting for survival.

While Singh’s act stands as a beacon of hope, it also draws attention to a critical healthcare challenge in India. For patients with blood cancers and disorders such as thalassemia, a blood stem cell transplant is often the only curative option. Yet finding a compatible donor remains a race against time. In India, a new blood cancer case is diagnosed every five minutes, and more than 10,000 children are born with Thalassemia Major each year. Despite this overwhelming need, only 0.09 per cent of the eligible population is registered as potential donors. Since tissue types are closely linked to ethnicity, this shortage creates a severe genetic bottleneck, leaving many patients without a matching donor.

 “Registering as a blood stem cell donor is a commitment that may span years,” said Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS India. “Sukhwinder’s journey is extraordinary. His willingness to act the moment he was called shows how one decision taken long ago can become the reason someone else has a future. He is truly a hero — both in uniform and in the

DKMS Foundation India continues to intensify efforts to raise awareness and expand the national donor registry. Any healthy Indian adult between 18 and 55 years of age, with a body mass index under 40 and not already registered, can sign up as a potential donor. Registration is simple and non-invasive, requiring only consent and a cheek swab to collect tissue cells. Eligible individuals can begin the process by ordering a home swab kit at www.dkms-india.org/register.

Through stories like Havildar Sukhwinder Singh’s, DKMS hopes to inspire more citizens to step forward—because one selfless choice can save a life.