Shilpa's skydive
Shilpa Sehdev thought she had come down with the infamous ‘freshers’ flu’ a few weeks into her life at university. Instead, she was told she had acute lymphocytic leukaemia. “A chill ran down my spine and time seemed to freeze,” says Shilpa.
“That day is etched in my memory like a sombre melody. It forever altered the course of my life. My dreams in that moment were shattered like glass. It wasn’t just a diagnosis – it was a seismic shift in my reality.
“University, which should have been a time of exploration and self-discovery, was transformed into a battleground against an unseen adversary. Each step felt like an uphill climb, as the weight of uncertainty and fear pressed down on my shoulders. The vibrant hues of youth were replaced by the muted tones of hospital walls.
“Blood transfusions became a ritual. Amidst the clinical beeps and hushed conversations, I grappled with the fragility of life.”
As Shilpa’s friends moved on with their lives, she found herself connected – quite literally – to strangers she calls “silent heroes.” She needed multiple transfusions of blood and platelets, firstly during her treatment for leukaemia, then to treat sluggish bone marrow.
(Picture: Shilpa in hospital with a bag of donated blood)
Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found at the centre of certain bones. It contains the stem cells that produce red and white blood cells and platelets. When it is ‘sluggish’, it produces these cells at a slower rate than normal and leads to fatigue, weakness, and bruising, as well as increased susceptibility to infection.
For Shilpa, it means receiving the transfusions for the rest of her life.
“The reality of needing the transfusions is one I have accepted with gratitude. The road to recovery has been paved with the selfless generosity of blood and platelet donors. Each transfusion is a thread weaving into the fabric of my continued existence.”
Shilpa eventually returned to university and graduated. “The simple act of waking up in the morning had become a victory,” she says. “Graduating was a triumph over adversity and testament to the support of those who rallied behind me during my darkest hours.”
It wasn’t long before Shilpa’s journey took another unexpected turn – this time one for the better. In 2020, she joined NHS Blood and Transplant, contributing to a system that had saved her life by saving others.
Shilpa now works as a Plasma Engagement Coodinator and has been able to use her experience on the receiving end of blood to promote plasma donation.
“I’ve walked the tightrope between life and the unknown,” says Shilpa. “The mundane has become extraordinary. The taste of fresh air, the warmth of sunlight, and the laughter of loved ones has taken on profound significance.
“The role at NHS Blood at Transplant is another way I’m able to celebrate the precious moments in life.”
Moments don’t come much more precious or less mundane than Shilpa’s latest adventure, though: a birthday charity skydive.
Raising money for Leukaemia UK, Shilpa took one more plunge, this time from a mile high.
“I’ve experienced first-hand the life-saving support Leukaemia UK provide. I wanted to turn my birthday into an opportunity to raise funds for a remarkable charity.
“Skydiving requires courage, resilience, and a leap of faith. It’s a symbolic way of embracing life’s uncertainties while supporting those who are battling against leukaemia.”
More platelet donations are needed from donors A negative, A positive or AB negative blood to help people like Shilpa.
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