Gautam Dongre is a prominent patient advocate and public-health activist working to improve the lives of people affected by sickle cell disease in India and globally. He serves as Secretary of the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Organizations (NASCO), India, and is a Board Member of the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations (GASCDO). His advocacy is deeply personal: as a father of two children living with sickle cell disease, he has witnessed the physical, emotional, and social challenges faced by patients and their families, transforming his experiences as a caregiver into a sustained mission to advance awareness, early diagnosis, access to treatment, and patient-centered healthcare.

Through NASCO, a national network of patient advocacy organizations, Gautam works to amplify the voices of people living with sickle cell disease and their caregivers, strengthen community awareness, and advocate for better healthcare services and policies. He has been associated with the Sickle Cell Society of India in Maharashtra for over a decade and has played an active role in bringing patients, families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers together to address gaps in the management of the disease. Under his leadership and involvement, NASCO has organized national and international symposiums to promote education, share experiences, and encourage collaborative action towards prevention and improved care.

At the global level, his role with GASCDO enables him to contribute to international dialogue on equitable access to sickle cell care and stronger support systems for affected communities. He has consistently advocated for greater public awareness, timely screening, improved healthcare infrastructure in underserved regions, and stronger policy recognition of sickle cell disease. His public advocacy has also highlighted the need for systematic screening and early intervention to reduce the long-term burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems.

Driven by the conviction that no family should have to navigate sickle cell disease without adequate information, support, or care, Gautam Dongre continues to champion a more inclusive and responsive healthcare ecosystem, with a particular focus on prevention, dignity, and better quality of life for every person affected by the condition.