Stem cell donor wanted: Help for Friederike from Schwerin!

Stem cell donor wanted: Help for Friederike from Schwerin!

In the young story of Friederike F. from Schwerin, the diagnosis of leukemia is a drastic chapter. In May 2024, the 60-year-old received the life-changing news and was initially treated with chemotherapy. But just a year ago, when things seemed promising, the blood cancer returned. Now the brave woman from Schwerin urgently needs a stem cell donation to survive.

In order to counteract Friederike's fate, her family and friends are organizing a registration campaign for stem cell donors. This will take place next Friday, July 14th, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in “tisch Coworking & Café”, Wittenburger Straße 16a. Everyone between the ages of 17 and 55 has the opportunity to register as potential donors. A support that couldn't be more valuable!

Why stem cell donation?

As a reminder: In Germany, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every twelve minutes. Around 22,000 people die from leukemia every year. The disease, which leads to an uncontrolled increase in leukocytes in the blood, often requires a stem cell transplant to increase the chances of recovery. If the donation is successful, the transplanted cells can grow in the recipient's bone marrow and give new life. Younger donors in particular significantly increase the chances of success of these transplants - a point that could be crucial not only for Friederike, but for many of those affected.

There are many options for stem cell donation. Two methods are usually used: peripheral stem cell collection, which accounts for around 90 percent of donations, and bone marrow collection, which is used in around 10 percent of cases. While peripheral collection in the clinic is similar to dialysis, bone marrow collection involves removing a piece of bone marrow under general anesthesia. Both procedures are very well organized and usually lead to a quick recovery of the donors.

An appeal to the community

The German Bone Marrow Donor Registry (DKMS) is recording declining numbers of registered donors, which is increasing the concerns of leukemia patients. Just 25 percent of registered donors are between 18 and 30 years old, but they make 65 percent of donations. This makes it all the more important to sensitize young people to this initiative.

So anyone who has a good knack for solidarity is cordially invited to come to the registration campaign in Schwerin. One simple step for potential donors can mean the difference between life and death for Friederike and many other patients. Let us work together to ensure that the affected families are given hope and a future again!

Further information about stem cell donation can be found on the website NDR, DKMS and ZDF.