"Insert the rod!"
In the heart of Düsseldorf, Germany, an aspiring firefighter named André has made a remarkable impact on a 30-year-old Italian woman's life. By registering with the DKMS donor database in 2017, André became a potential stem cell donor, and his cells were used to help the Italian woman win her battle against blood cancer.
The DKMS donor registration process is a straightforward and non-invasive procedure. Interested individuals can sign up easily, either during public events or campaigns, or independently online. A simple cheek swab is taken to gather cells, which can be performed on-site or at home and mailed back to DKMS. The DNA from the swab is analysed to determine the donor’s Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) type, a key genetic marker used to match donors to patients needing stem cell transplants.
For donors, registration is simple, quick, and minimally invasive with no immediate obligation to donate. If a match with a patient in need is found, donors are contacted to provide stem cells through either peripheral blood stem cell collection or bone marrow donation. For patients globally, especially those with blood cancers or genetic blood disorders, having a large, diverse registry like DKMS increases the chances of finding a compatible donor. This can be lifesaving for patients who otherwise have no matched donor within their family.
DKMS’s international registry facilitates matches across borders, significantly impacting patient survival rates worldwide by improving access to timely stem cell transplants. In Düsseldorf and Germany at large, DKMS organizes registration drives at public venues such as stadiums during sports events, which raise awareness and grow the pool of registered donors, thereby expanding life-saving opportunities worldwide.
David von der Lieth, head of the Düsseldorf fire department, commended André for his commitment. He also expressed his happiness about every person who supports DKMS in their important task. André praised the professionalism and care shown during the donation process, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours.
Anonymity is maintained between donors and recipients to ensure donors make decisions without external influence. If you're interested in becoming a potential stem cell donor, you can register on the DKMS website (www.dkms.de/lebensretter_duesseldorf). Your contribution could make a difference in someone's life, just like André's did.
In the world of health and wellness, registering with DKMS can offer a chance to make a significant impact on someone's life, as André did when he helped a 30-year-old Italian woman win her battle against blood cancer. By signing up on the DKMS website, one can become a potential stem cell donor, even there are no immediate obligations, as the donation process is simple, quick, and minimally invasive.
