Ishani Moitra Rawat, a 10-year old in the Sankalp RTP community, had a relapse of leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy at Duke hospital. She needs a bone marrow transplant within the next couple of months. Her parents and 3 1/2 year-old sister have, unfortunately, tested to be a 50% match. 

Given that this is a matter of life or death for Ishani, her family is looking for alternative bone marrow donation matches. NMDP, the organization that runs the drive for finding bone marrow matches would like to find other donors as well, and South Asians in particular for Ishani in the age group 18 – 40 years who are willing to sign up. The first step is to get a mouth swab. The sample will then be sent for analysis over the next few weeks. If an eligible donor is found, then blood tests will be done to assess suitability. Please note that you may be a match for other patients who need bone marrow donation. Obviously, a potential donor/match has full freedom to choose whether or not to be a donor.

Please contact Madhulavi Majumder at 919-423-9426 to sign up to offer a swab on Saturday, June 7, 2025 between 10am and 4pm at HSNC in Morrisville, NC or use the QR code below to have a self swab kit mailed to you.