Mohamed Alibhai

South Central Ontario

In early 2012, Mohamed heard that someone in his community was in need of a life-saving stem cell match. Knowing that people of South Asian/Indian descent are severely under-represented on the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, Mohamed decided to add his name to OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network. While he was not a match for that particular patient, he was identified as a possible match for another person in need.

Without hesitation, Mohamed set out on a journey to donate his bone marrow to someone whom he had never met.

Starting with confirmatory typing which determined he was indeed a life-saving match, things progressed very quickly. Four months after learning he was a potential match, Mohamed underwent surgery to donate stem cells from his bone marrow.

For the entire process, Mohamed was readily available, selfless and determined to seeing it through to the end. Despite having his own business – one that involves heavy lifting and physical activity – he was not concerned about the possible recovery time following surgery. Moreover, he refused to be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as those he and his companion incurred by attending appointments. Above all else, he remained committed to helping the nameless, faceless patient in need.

Mohamed’s experience shows how increasing the diversity of the registry can increase patients’ opportunities for transplants.