Diveshan Needs Your Help to Find a Match
A Matching Donor Could Give Diveshan Hope for What Comes Next
36-year-old Diveshan was living a life centred around his work, family and the simple things that made him happy. Then, a few months of unexplained breathlessness, night sweats and exhaustion led to him being admitted to hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer.
For several months, Diveshan had been experiencing shortness of breath and severe night sweats. At first, the symptoms seemed manageable, but they gradually became more difficult to ignore. Then, one day, he developed a sharp, uncomfortable pain on his right side and decided to seek medical attention. His doctor initially suspected pneumonia and sent him home with medication. Although Diveshan felt slightly better while taking it, his condition soon deteriorated.
The turning point came after a visit to his barber. When he returned home, climbing three flights of stairs left him struggling to breathe. Completely exhausted, he went to sleep.
At hospital, an X-ray revealed the seriousness of his condition. His entire right lung had collapsed and was filled with fluid, while his left lung was also beginning to fill with fluid. He was admitted to High Care, placed on oxygen and underwent further testing.
Doctors initially suspected tuberculosis. However, during an examination, one doctor noticed a slightly enlarged lymph node. A biopsy was performed the following day, and further testing revealed that Diveshan had T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL).
Since then, treatment has reshaped almost every part of his life. He has undergone intensive chemotherapy, approximately eight surgical procedures and treatment for various complications. His current treatment includes oral and intravenous chemotherapy, as well as weekly intrathecal chemotherapy.
Diveshan’s siblings have been tested, and the family is now waiting to find out whether any of them are a match.
Register as a stem cell donor and help give patients like Diveshan hope for a second chance at life. You could be the match someone is waiting for.
Remember, all costs related to the donation process are taken care of by DKMS Africa.
