01/09/2025
"A gift of life twice over: Successful bone marrow transplant from a pregnant donor"'
Seventeen-year-old Irfan Azizi, a bright young boy from the village of Tajak, Kabul, Afghanistan, had always been full of energy and passion for cricket and was part of Afghanistan's under 19 cricket team. His life took a sudden and heartbreaking turn when he began experiencing frequent nosebleeds, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath. A series of tests revealed the devastating diagnosis of very severe aplastic anemia, a life-threatening condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. For a young boy with dreams of playing cricket, the reality of depending on blood transfusions just to survive was crushing—not only for him but also for his loving parents, Ahmad Jan and Zulaikha.
With limited treatment options in his home country, the family’s hope lay in Pakistan, where he was referred for a bone marrow transplant (BMT). Miraculously, his sister, Zahra Nazneen, was found to be a full HLA match despite being in the early stages of pregnancy. Out of love and courage, Zahra waited until she safely entered her second trimester before undergoing the bone marrow harvest under general anesthesia. It was truly an act of selfless sacrifice—one sibling giving life to another.
On 7th November 2023, Irfan underwent his allogeneic bone marrow transplant at PATHWEL Center of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Rawalpindi. His journey was not without hurdles. He battled through neutropenic fever, nausea, vomiting, and cyclosporine toxicity, and endured countless transfusions during and before the transplant. Yet, with resilience, medical support, and the unwavering prayers of his family, he emerged stronger day by day.
Now, more than 21 months post-transplant, Irfan’s story is nothing short of inspirational. He is GVHD-free, infection-free, off immunosuppressants, and maintaining stable blood counts. The once pale and fatigued boy is now a healthy young man, full of life and hope, no longer chained to hospital beds and transfusions. His parents, who once feared for his life, now see him smiling again, while his sister takes pride in having given him a second chance at life.
Irfan’s journey is a beacon of hope for many families battling similar blood disorders. It is a story of courage, sacrifice, and the miracles that happen when science, family love, and faith come together. Today, as he prepares to return to Afghanistan, Irfan carries with him not only good health but also the promise of a bright future—a young boy who conquered one of life’s toughest battles and emerged victorious.
Parvez Ahmed
