Save the Sibling: A Journey of Hope, Science, and a Family’s Courage

When a child is diagnosed with a life‑threatening genetic illness, a family’s world changes forever. The “Save the Sibling” initiative was created to bring hope to families facing such challenges—hope built on advanced science, medical expertise and compassion. This is the inspiring journey of the initiative and how it transformed the life of a young boy named Akshoy.

The Birth of a Vision With Purpose

Save the Sibling was launched as a unique collaboration between three major institutions in Kolkata:

• Renew Healthcare 
• Cordlife Sciences India Pvt. Ltd. 
• HCG EKO Cancer Centre 

Their shared mission was to help families conceive a healthy, HLA‑matched “savior sibling” through IVF and advanced genetic testing. Stem cells collected from the newborn’s cord blood could then be used to treat an older child suffering from a severe genetic disorder. This approach eliminated the uncertainty of finding a naturally matched donor.

Why the Program Matters?

Every year, thousands of children in India are born with life‑threatening blood disorders such as Beta‑Thalassemia Major, Fanconi Anaemia, Tay‑Sachs and certain forms of leukaemia. For many of these children, a hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the only potential cure. The challenge is that successful transplantation requires an exceptionally close HLA match—something rarely found outside the immediate family.

In many cases, families have had to rely on chance, hoping a future child would naturally be a match. Save the Sibling program changes this by using IVF pregnancy along with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Preimplantation Genetic Matching (PGM). This ensures the new baby is free from the genetic disorder and is a perfect tissue match for the ailing sibling.

How the Three‑Step Collaboration Works?

1. Renew Healthcare – Creating the Savior Sibling

Under the guidance of Dr Rajeev Agarwal, Renew Healthcare performs IVF combined with PGD and PGM to identify healthy, HLA‑matched embryos. A suitable embryo is implanted, giving families the best chance of conceiving a child who can eventually help save a sibling.

2. Cordlife Sciences India – Preserving the Lifeline

Cordlife handles the collection, transportation, processing, testing and long‑term storage of the newborn’s cord blood. They also provide significant financial support, offering up to ₹20 lakhs for transplantation‑related expenses and an additional ₹5 lakhs as goodwill assistance to help families through recovery.

3. HCG EKO Cancer Centre – Delivering the Cure

Led by Dr Joydeep Chakrabartty, HCG EKO performs the stem cell transplant once the family is ready. In some cases, supportive techniques like haplo‑cord transplantation are used to ensure faster recovery.

The Mission Becomes Real Through the Story of a Little Boy Who Needed a Miracle

The Story of Akshoy: A Real‑Life Miracle

Akshoy, a cheerful seven‑year‑old boy from Kolkata, suffered from Homozygous Beta‑zero Thalassemia, a severe and inherited blood disorder. His early years were spent undergoing frequent blood transfusions—a painful routine that brought temporary relief but also carried the risk of iron overload, which can damage vital organs.

His parents were desperate for a cure. That’s when they learned about the “Save the Sibling” program.

The Journey to Save His Life

Step 1: Conceiving the Savior Sibling

Through IVF with PGD and PGM at Renew Healthcare, a healthy HLA‑matched embryo was identified and implanted. The pregnancy progressed smoothly, offering a renewed sense of hope.

Step 2: Collecting the Stem Cells

At birth, Cordlife collected the umbilical cord blood from the newborn sibling. The stem cells were processed and preserved for transplantation.

Step 3: The Transplantation

At HCG EKO Cancer Centre, the transplant was performed under the supervision of Dr Joydeep Chakrabartty. The sibling’s cord blood stem cells were infused into Akshoy, along with supportive haploidentical cells from his mother, to speed up immune recovery.

The results were remarkable. Within just 15 days, Akshoy’s immune system began to rebuild. His haemoglobin stabilised at 10.0 g/dL—healthy for his age. For the first time in years, he no longer needed blood transfusions.

A Historic Milestone for India

Akshoy’s case is believed to be the first documented instance in India where a child was successfully cured using cord blood from a sibling conceived specifically through PGD and PGM. His recovery represents a breakthrough in the treatment of genetic blood disorders and a beacon of hope for countless families.

His father expressed heartfelt gratitude, describing the journey as a blend of science, compassion, and faith. The collaboration between Renew Healthcare, Cordlife, and HCG EKO turned what seemed impossible into reality.

A Promise for the Future

The Save the Sibling initiative stands as a powerful example of what is possible when medical excellence and humanitarian commitment come together. By offering IVF, cord blood banking, and stem cell transplant services under one umbrella, the program opens new pathways for families seeking life‑saving solutions.

Every child deserves a chance at a healthy & happy life. Every family deserves hope. And through programs like Save the Sibling, hope is no longer a distant dream—it is a living & achievable reality.