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Home » Juthika Hariram

Juthika Hariram

11 October, 2013

juthika-hariram

What motivated you to join the Registry?

It was just before my 40th birthday and I was reading a magazine article about a child that needed a bone marrow transplant and that there was a plea to recruit more volunteer donors. It was then that I decided that the best gift I could get for my 40th birthday was to give a gift of hope by having my stem cells tested and joining the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).

How did you feel when you were contacted by the SABMR as a potential donor for a patient?

Although I knew there was only a slim chance that I would be a match for a patient (1 in 100,000), I just always had a feeling that one day I would receive the call…. Two years later, I was at the office I received a call from the SABMR – I had been identified as a possible match for a patient. I cannot explain what went through my mind. As an Attorney, I am trained to maintain my composure at all times but this was an exception! I cried from excitement, then I jumped up and down, causing quite a commotion in the office! I was told by the SABMR that I would need further testing of my stem cells to ascertain the extent to which I was a match with the patient. Time was of the essence and so I went immediately to St. Augustine Hospital to have my blood drawn. Soon after I was told that I was a 10/10 match.

What was your experience like having your stem cells harvested?

For a whole week, I needed to have Neupogen® injections to stimulate my bone marrow to produce more stem cells in preparation for the harvest. Since I live in Durban and since one cannot travel once the injections begin, I flew to Cape Town. I was so happy to have my husband and my two sons by my side. Finally the day came to have my stem cells harvested. I spent that day in the hospital, it took about 11 hours. Throughout that time, a staff member from the SABMR stayed with me. The hospital staff was also amazing. Once the harvest was complete, I felt absolutely fine and was discharged.

juthika-hariram-1
Juthika donating stem cells, with the SABMR team at her side.

How has the experience impacted your life?

Where do I begin….? The whole experience has brought me the most amazing sense of fulfilment and meaning – to give the gift of life. And the effect on my family and community has been amazing. My two sons (aged 10 and 8 years) have both said that they want to become donors when they are older! All I knew about my recipient is that he was an adult male. Throughout the process, I kept on thinking that this might have been someone’s husband, son, father or brother.

Would you recommend that other people join the Registry?

Without any hesitation at all, I would strongly encourage people to join the Registry. The work that the SABMR does is incredible. The fact that I was a perfect match for a complete stranger is just amazing. The more people that join the Registry, the more lives can be saved!

Filed Under: Stories about Donors



Is your child on a transplant journey?

In 2020, the SABMR teamed up with 11-year-old transplant recipient Rachel Ancer and her family to produce Rachel’s Second Chance, an illustrated children’s book and educational booklet on bone marrow transplants. With hope, humour, and insight, including key elements of the transplant process and advice on what to expect during a transplant journey, Rachel’s Second Chance is a resource for the whole family.

Available for sale for R79.95 (e-book for R39.95).

BUY NOWBUY NOW (ebook)

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