Promotional Video for DKMS UK A cheek swab in London. A new life in India.
Harshil, from North London, had a cheek swab taken during an event at the community center. Three years later, he received a call: he could save Vansh, a boy in India. The film tells both sides of this story and explains why donors of Asian descent are so urgently needed.
A campaign with a clear mission
DKMS is working to ensure that every person with blood cancer or a serious blood disorder can find a compatible stem cell donor. People of South Asian descent have a much harder time finding a compatible donor because there are too few registered donors. DKMS UK wanted to reach this specific group—not with appeals, but with proof.
The film covers the entire process: “Registration takes five minutes,” says Harshil in the film. The donation at a London hospital was over after five hours. And on the other side of the world, Vansh, who has overcome the blood disorder thalassemia, says: “I can go to school, I can play, I can do anything. All because of this donor who gave me a new life.”
Two Families, One Decision
The film’s strength lies in the shift in perspective. In London, a family speaks honestly about their initial reservations until the father says, “We encouraged Harshil.” That’s an absolutely fantastic thing. In India, a boy describes what it feels like to start a new life.
Between the two lies a decision that the film deliberately downplays: realizing that there’s hardly any risk, and then agreeing to it. Harshil calls it the easiest decision. That’s exactly the feeling everyone who signs up afterward should take away with them.
“There is no greater blessing than being able to save someone’s life and give someone a future.”
Seen in the film
Harshil talks about registering at the community center, where his mother volunteers. Three years later, they received a phone call during dinner: a possible match with a boy in India. The family is proud, but still has questions: Does it hurt? Is it dangerous? The film answers these questions through the process itself: a confirmatory test, a health checkup, and five hours at a hospital in central London. Then the perspective shifts to India: Vansh, who has overcome thalassemia, goes to school today, plays the guitar, and lives just like any other child.
01 · Harshil in North London
02 · Vansh today: doing crafts, playing, just being a kid
03 · The call came in during dinner
04 · Harshil talks about the donation
What ROCC Film did for DKMS UK.
Filming in London, combining it with the footage from India.
