Blood cancer is still the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in children. And the search for suitable donors is always a race against time.
When blood cancer takes the wind out of your sails
It was the same for Anja from near Hamburg. Windsurfing is the greatest thing for her: freedom and independence, action and movement - the 33-year-old, who has been on the board regularly since her holiday in Mallorca five years ago, loves it all.
But in May of the year before last, Anja's life took a turn for the worse. She had been feeling weak for some time and was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up on the board and at work. A blood test finally confirms the doctors' fears: Anja is suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia, or blood cancer for short. The situation is life-threatening, time is short. It soon becomes clear that Anja can only survive with a stem cell donation. As no-one in her family is eligible for a donation, the search for a third-party donor begins.
The wait for the redemptive call begins
Since 1991, the DKMS The organisation is dedicated to beating blood cancer. With more than 11 million registered donors and over 100,000 stem cell donations, the organisation can already look back on many successes. And yet four out of ten blood cancer patients worldwide are still unable to find a suitable stem cell donor - a death sentence for many of those affected. In Germany, too, the search for a "genetic twin" ends in vain for one in ten patients.
Not so for Anja - she's lucky. At the end of July 2020, after a few nerve-wracking weeks, she finally receives the redemptive call from the DKMS . A person whose tissue characteristics match Anja's is willing to donate her stem cells. On 27 August, Anja finally receives the life-saving stem cell transplant - a second birthday for her. This means that in the not too distant future she will be able to get back on the surfboard - even if she can only slowly get her body used to the sport again.
Young people in particular can help!
Anja has now learnt that her lifesaver is a young woman from Germany. Meeting the donor after the two-year anonymity period has expired is a great wish for her. "She saved my life, and I'm incredibly grateful to her for that," says Anja. "To take on this responsibility at such a young age - I find that impressive. That's why I particularly urge everyone from the younger generation to do what my lifesaver did and register!" This support from young people is important for the DKMS are particularly important, as they are available as potential donors over a long period of time and, due to their age, usually have good physical conditions for a stem cell donation - and are therefore more likely to be potential lifesavers.
Come and talk to us!
This year, too, the DKMS On the occasion of World Blood Cancer Day on 28 May, the charity is focusing social attention on the topics of blood cancer and stem cell donation. This year, the non-profit organisation will be represented at the Mercedes-Benz Surf Festival on Fehmarn to educate young people about stem cell donation. Find out more about how YOU too can become a lifesaver and talk to patient Anja and the DKMS about blood cancer and stem cell donation. World-class windsurfer Lina Erpenstein, who is registered with DKMS, will also be flying the flag for us at the festival.Together we can beat blood cancer!
DKMS welcomes every healthy person between the ages of 17 and 55 who registers as a stem cell donor. Young people in particular are more likely than average to consider donating their stem cells and thus giving themselves a second chance at life. Registration is uncomplicated and quick: simply go to www.dkms.de order a registration kit, take the cheek swab at home, sign the consent form and send the kit back to DKMS. That's it!
In the fight against blood cancer, the charitable organisation is also asking for donations. DKMS incurs costs of 35 euros for each new donor.
Donation account:
IBAN: DE64 6415 0020 0000 2555 56
BIC: SOLADES1TUB