Areekode Creates History: Over 10,000 Register In Record Stem Cell Donor Drive For Ailing Rafiya
Areekode: A search for a matching stem cell donor for a former student grew into a massive community mobilisation as thousands flocked to Sullamussalam Science College (Autonomous), Areekode, in support of Rafiya Sherin. Organised with DKMS Foundation India, the two-day drive registered around ten thousand potential donors, making it the largest stem cell donor swab collection drives conducted in the country .
Rafiya, a 2017 English graduate of the college, is undergoing treatment for severe aplastic anaemia and needs a suitably matched stem cell donor.
More than 6,000 people arrived at the campus on Thursday alone, prompting the organisers to extend the camp to Friday. Students, teachers, alumni, delegations from neighbouring educational institutions, voluntary organisations and members of the public joined the effort.
By the close of the two-day camp, 6125 people had completed registration and swab collection on Thursday and 4133 on Friday, bringing the total to above 10258.
The turnout reflected the community’s affection for Rafiya, who had been actively involved in social service and palliative care initiatives during her college years and in her neighbourhood. What began as an appeal for an alumna brought together people and organisations across political, social and cultural backgrounds.
Principal Dr P. Musthafa Farook said the response demonstrated that the community had embraced the initiative as a shared responsibility extending beyond the college. “The response from the community and the wider public was overwhelming. The first-day turnout exceeded our capacity, prompting us to extend the camp for a second day so that everyone who came forward had an opportunity to register,” he said.
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Camp Coordinator Yahya N. V. described Thursday’s turnout as the largest participation in a single-day camp in DKMS India’s history. “The massive turnout reflects growing public awareness of stem cell donor registration. We worked tirelessly to address misconceptions, ease fears and encourage more people to come forward. While this drive was organised for Rafiya, it also offers hope to other patients waiting for a matching donor,” he added.
Friday’s session, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., accommodated people who could not attend on Thursday and those who had arrived but were unable to complete the process because of the rush. A team of 300+ volunteers, supported by staff members, students, alumni and other stakeholders, coordinated awareness sessions, registration process, cheek swab collection and sample packaging.
A native of Amayoor near Manjeri, Rafiya moved to the United Kingdom in 2019 for further studies and subsequently worked there. She currently lives in Manchester with her husband, Fawaz Ahmed, a native of Vazhakkad.
The camp collected cheek swab samples for HLA typing, which helps identify potential stem cell donor matches. Registration did not involve blood collection or stem cell donation. If a potential match is identified, the registered donor will be contacted for further testing, medical assessment and informed consent before any donation proceeds.
