Chandigarh, September 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A 17-year-old girl has donated her stem cells to her 10-year-old brother battling leukemia, giving him a new chance at life as Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC) near Chandigarh successfully conducted its first allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
The boy, a resident of Durgapur in West Bengal, was diagnosed with a second relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in April. His family subsequently travelled to HBCH&RC, a unit of Tata Memorial Centre under the Department of Atomic Energy, to continue his treatment.
Following intensive chemotherapy, the child achieved remission. However, given the high risk of the disease recurring, doctors recommended an allogeneic stem cell transplant as the best curative treatment option.
The boy’s elder sister was identified as the most suitable donor after a detailed evaluation. Her stem cells were collected and infused into her brother through a vein. The transplanted cells successfully engrafted, and after close monitoring and supportive care, the child recovered and was discharged from the hospital in good health on Tuesday.
Pediatric hematologist-oncologist and BMT physician Dr Jasmeet Sidhu said the child would continue to be closely monitored during the post-transplant period. He said successful transplantation required meticulous planning, appropriate donor selection, infection prevention and intensive supportive care.
Dr Seema Gulia, Head of the Department of Medical Oncology, said the hospital has a dedicated paediatric oncology unit equipped with modern treatment options, including monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T cell therapy, immunotherapies and targeted therapies for adult and paediatric patients. She added that treatment at the hospital is highly subsidised.
Hospital Director Dr Ashish Gulia described the transplant as both a medical milestone and a deeply human achievement. He said the hospital supported the family medically, emotionally and financially during the treatment.
The medical social work team facilitated more than Rs 14 lakh in financial assistance through government schemes and CSR support and also arranged accommodation for the family.
Since the BMT programme was launched in 2024, HBCH&RC has performed 15 stem cell transplants and three CAR-T cell therapy infusions for patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers.
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