Rescue call from Salzgitter: Pregnant Toni urgently needs stem cells!

Rescue call from Salzgitter: Pregnant Toni urgently needs stem cells!

Salzgitter, Deutschland - In Salzgitter, fighting for the life of little Toni is fought. The boy only seven-month-old suffers from a serious disorder of the defense system, the hyper-IGM syndrome. The happy hours with his parents and his older brother were strongly clouded by a serious diagnosis. It all started in January 2025 with a harmless runny nose that quickly led to dangerous pneumonia. Toni had to go to the hospital, where he had to be ventilated and has been dependent on artificial nutrition since May. In order to ensure his survival, the family urgently needs a suitable stem cell donation.

Alina, Toni's mother, is overwhelmed by the support of the grandparents, friends and the whole community. Many people have already organized typing campaigns to help and find potential donors. "We are so grateful for everyone who registered," explains Alina and points out that donations for the necessary tests are also extremely important. Registration itself is simple and painless and can take place online via the DKMS website.

The fight against Hyper-IGM syndrome

Hyper-IGM syndrome is a rare but serious disease, which often occurs in the early age and has a significant impact on the immune system. Small children suffer from this disorder are particularly susceptible to frequent and recurring infections. In particular, respiratory infections can prove to be very threatening. The most common pathogens include bacteria, but viral diseases can cause serious complications. The treatment varies depending on the severity and the course of the disease. One central goal: replace the missing antibodies with regular infusions and reduce susceptibility to infect with specific therapies so that Toni has a chance of a healthy life.

For patients with severe forms of hyper-IGM syndrome, a bone marrow transplant (KMT) can be a life-saving option. This form of therapy aims to replace the sick immune system with a healthy. The process includes the search for a suitable donor, which is often started by blood revenue in the relatives before a global search is initiated via a stem cell register. In Toni's case, the urgency is great because there is no time to lose.

The positive fighting spirit of the little fighter

Despite all the adverse circumstances, Toni shows a remarkable positive attitude. He misses his big brother and makes his parents smile with the smallest gestures. This shows how important support and cohesion are in such difficult times. The family hopes that a suitable donor will soon be found so that the boy can live a normal life.

The future of Toni therefore depends not only on medical advances, but also on the hands of those who are ready to register as a stem cell donor. "Every registration could save Toni's life," emphasizes Alina. So if you can take a little time to help others, be called to become active!

To learn more about Hyper-IGM syndrome, we recommend the information pages of the Universitätsklinik freiburg href = "https://primaryimmune.org/understanding-primary-immunodeficience/types-of-pi/hyper-igm-yndrome"> International Organization for Primary Immundefican . Your support can bring the most necessary education and help.

If you want to learn more about the possibilities of stem cell donation, you will find further information on the website of the dkms .