A married couple has donated life-saving stem cells, being called upon an event with odds of 1 in 4,000,000, giving two cancer patients a chance at a cure.
Nirav and Kanan Chokshi each registered independently with the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry, where the odds of being selected as a match for a patient in need of a stem cell transplant are 1 in 2,000. In an incredibly rare twist, both husband and wife were asked to donate, each providing stem cells to adults battling acute leukaemia.
Nirav signed up as a stem cell donor in 2016 and made his donation in 2018. Inspired by his experience, Kanan registered in 2024 and also donated. The couple, who reside in Hounslow, London, and were both born in India, are now urging other people of Asian heritage to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry. This call comes in response to the urgent need for more donors from these communities.
In an interview with Asian Voice, the couple shares their journey and sheds light on the common misconceptions surrounding the donation process.
How did the overall experience feel from start to finish?
Nirav: I was the first to be called in. I’m a blood donor in the UK, and during an appointment in 2016, they asked if I’d like to be added to the stem cell donor registry. They needed an extra sample of my blood, and I agreed without really knowing what it involved.
It wasn’t until 2018, when I got a call saying I was a potential match, that I started to understand how rare it is to find a match and began learning more about the donation process. Knowing what it involved, I didn’t think twice—I agreed immediately. Everything went smoothly, and I made the donation in 2018. Afterward, I encouraged Kanan to register as well.
Kanan: Then, in March of this year, I got the call saying they’d found a match for me. I knew the procedure well since Nirav had already gone through it, so while I was a little scared, I wasn’t too worried. In March, I completed my donation, and everything went smoothly—I’m feeling great now.
How did you prepare physically and emotionally for the donation? Did you experience any pre-donation jitters, and how did you manage them?
Nirav: I would say I didn’t listen to the misconceptions and fears around stem cell donation. There’s definitely a sense of fear and misunderstanding, especially among South Asians and Indians, because people often think the procedure is very intense. Traditionally, donating stem cells or bone marrow involved an injection into the spine or hip bone, and patients would be put under full anaesthesia. That method could have side effects, sometimes leaving people with back pain for the rest of their lives.
But once I understood the process for the method Kanan and I used, called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation which is done entirely through blood I felt more at ease. I did hear concerns from friends, but I mostly listened to the experts who explained the entire process, and I trusted them.
Kanan: For me, Nirav’s experience was a huge reassurance. He’d done it already and was completely fine. I was a little anxious, as I mentioned, but Nirav encouraged me. They also did full body checks and thorough exams, and the doctors explained everything clearly. So yes, I felt well-prepared and fine afterward.
As you encourage the South Asian community to register as stem cell donors, how are you spreading the word?
Nirav: My wife and I both started by sharing a message on our Facebook accounts. It gained a lot of attention, and then the blood and transplant team encouraged us to take it further by speaking to the media. We were more than willing because we understand just how rare it is to find a match—about one in 2,000 for an individual, and one in 4 million for a couple.
Knowing how difficult it is for people, especially in the Asian and minority communities in the UK, to find a match made us realise how important it is to raise awareness. Many people from these communities are underrepresented in donor registries. So, even if you don’t get called, simply being on the register can make a difference by increasing the chances for those suffering from leukaemia and blood cancers to find a match.
What message would you like to share with readers from the South Asian community who may feel hesitant or fearful about becoming a donor?
Nirav: My message is that the process isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. It’s straightforward, with virtually no side effects. Both my wife, Kanan, and I felt back to normal within 12 hours after donating. I would encourage everyone to set aside any fear and get registered. We’re happy to speak with anyone who has questions or concerns, and we want to assure people that you don’t even need to be a blood donor to join the stem cell registry. Registering is simple, just express interest on the website, and they’ll send you a kit to provide a small sample, usually with a saliva swab. Then, you’re on the registry.
