Shove the rod in!
In a heartwarming story of selflessness, a trainee firefighter named André from Korschenbroich, Germany, has made a significant impact beyond his professional role. In 2017, André registered as a potential stem cell donor with the DKMS, an organization that facilitates the matching of donors with sick individuals worldwide [1].
The registration process is straightforward and can be done online or at local events. Individuals provide some basic personal information and, upon registration, receive a saliva sample kit in the mail [2]. The sample is collected at home and sent back to DKMS for analysis to determine the donor's tissue type.
When a match is found, the donor is contacted by DKMS. For André, this happened in May 2021. His donated stem cells were given to a 30-year-old Italian woman who was fighting blood cancer [3]. The donation process took approximately 2.5 hours and involved peripheral blood stem cell donation, where stem cells were collected from his blood over this period [4].
The DKMS plays a crucial role in providing stem cells for individuals fighting life-threatening diseases. Their global registry of potential donors ensures quick matching with sick individuals, making a significant difference in the lives of many [5].
David von der Lieth, the head of the Düsseldorf fire department, praised André's commitment. As a supporter of the DKMS (German Bone Marrow Donor Center), David encourages more people to support the DKMS in their important task [6].
Anonymity between donors and recipients is a crucial aspect of the process. However, the impact of André's donation is evident in the gratitude expressed by the Italian woman's family and the recognition from the Düsseldorf fire department [7].
Düsseldorfers can also register to become potential stem cell donors. The DKMS appreciates the support of individuals like André in their mission to save lives [8]. If you're interested in making a difference, visit www.dkms.de/lebensretter_duesseldorf to start the registration process.
In the process of registering as a potential stem cell donor with DKMS, individuals, like trainee firefighter André, can contribute to the health-and-wellness of others dealing with medical-conditions, such as cancer. This act of selflessness, as demonstrated by André in 2021, may potentially save lives, as his donated stem cells were used to treat a 30-year-old Italian woman battling blood cancer, thereby emphasizing the vital role of organizations like DKMS in the realm of science and health-and-wellness.
