WMDA (World Marrow Donor Association) statistics are alarming: every 35 seconds, someone in the world develops blood cancer. Among childhood diseases, blood cancer is the most common cause of death. In Poland, someone is diagnosed every hour with leukemia, a blood cancer. For many patients, a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant is their only chance of recovery. Only 25 percent of patients are fortunate enough to find a donor within their own family. Most transplants take place thanks to unrelated donors who, as people of goodwill, have registered to save the life of every patient who needs a transplant, without expecting anything in return.
There are currently more than 25 million potential blood stem cell or bone marrow donors registered worldwide. Of this number, 1,100,515 are donors registered in the Polish registry maintained by Poltransplant, including 1,007,724 donors from the DKMS Foundation database. However, despite so many registered potential donors, one in five patients does not find their genetic twin. For seven years, the DKMS Foundation, together with people interested in promoting the idea of donation, has organized Marrow Donor Days in various locations across Poland. Events under this banner are held throughout the year and increase the chances of finding donors for every patient who needs a transplant.
Registration of potential donors will take place:
- date: January 15, 2017
- time: 2:00–8:00 p.m.
- venue: Municipal Cultural Centre in Lubań
- address: 4 Kościuszki Street, Lubań.
Who can become a donor?
Any healthy person between 18 and 55 years of age who weighs at least 50 kg (without significant excess weight) can register. It takes only a moment and involves a preliminary medical interview, completing a form with personal details, and collecting a swab from the mucous membrane on the inside of the cheek. The sample will be used to determine antigen compatibility characteristics, and if the donor's genetic code matches that of a patient, a transplant can take place.
Everyone who wishes to register should bring an identity document containing their PESEL number.
Did you know that your 1% can help us register more potential bone marrow donors?
– Registration is free for donors, but it costs PLN 180, which the DKMS Foundation covers thanks to the support of individuals and companies. You too can make a contribution. Donate 1% of your tax to support our work. Enter our KRS number, 0000318602, on your PIT form or complete it using the program available on our website: www.dkms.pl/pl/1procent – say DKMS representatives.
They add: – Every contribution, even the smallest one, will allow us to recruit more potential donors. Knowing that registration in the database is free, we would be grateful if you covered even part of its cost by making a donation to account number: 62 1240 6292 1111 0010 6197 7890. Thank you. Every contribution matters.
About the Foundation
The DKMS Foundation currently has the largest bone marrow donor database in Poland, with more than 1,007,000 potential bone marrow donors registered (November 2016), while 3,629 people (November 2016) have already donated their blood stem cells or bone marrow, giving patients in Poland and around the world a chance at life.
