DKMS Foundation:

It is estimated that every 40 minutes in Poland and every 27 seconds worldwide, someone learns that they have blood cancer. In Poland alone, more than 13,000 adults and over 800 children receive this diagnosis each year. Bone marrow transplantation is a treatment method used for more than 200 different diseases, including leukemias, lymphomas, aplastic anemias, myelodysplastic syndromes and myelomas.

When is an unrelated bone marrow donor needed?

The organization explains: – Every patient who qualifies for a bone marrow transplant first looks for a donor within their family. Unfortunately, many of them do not have a matching donor among their closest relatives. It is estimated that in Poland, more than 600 patients each year must search for their “genetic twin” in the database of unrelated donors.

“If my story persuades someone to register as a potential bone marrow donor, then it was worth telling”

Ania Brzozowska lives with her husband Robert and their two children in Złotoryja. Professionally, she works in accounting and bookkeeping. She currently works for a local company. Ania and Robert are also connected with Bolesławiec. This is where Robert serves in the local police force.

Until recently, the family’s life proceeded at a peaceful pace. Their daily routine consisted of work and the children’s preschool and nursery, as well as afternoons, evenings and weekends spent together. Ania describes herself as a “full-time mother”:

The happiest days of my life were the births of our children. The little ones filled our entire lives, our whole world. Being with them, caring for them every day and playing with them brings complete joy. Until recently, I was a full-time mother. Today, because of acute myeloid leukemia, I leave my children for many weeks to undergo treatment. And although I know they are safe, loved and cared for because they are with their father, whenever I am in the hospital, I miss them so much.

Ania decided to share her story to help patients who, like her, need an unrelated donor to recover. Her family and friends began taking action. Together with the DKMS Foundation, they are organizing registration drives for potential bone marrow donors in Złotoryja and Bolesławiec.

The woman says: – If my story persuades someone to register as a potential bone marrow donor, then it was worth telling. By becoming a potential bone marrow donor, you give a chance at life not only to a person with leukemia, but also to their family and loved ones. In my case, a donor will help not only me, but also my children and husband. There are thousands of people around the world who, like me, are searching for their genetic twin and fighting blood cancer for themselves and their loved ones. I have met many sick people in the ward. Every one of them deserves to live. And you can give all of us a chance at life!

Give hope! Save a life! Become a bone marrow donor!

In the coming days, every resident of Bolesławiec and Złotoryja will be able to join the database of potential bone marrow donors. Anna Dorsz of the DKMS Foundation explains:

Registration is very easy, quick and free. All you need to do is set aside around 10 minutes and visit one of the donor registration points in Bolesławiec or Złotoryja. First, you answer a few questions, then fill out a form with your contact details, and finally collect a sample from the inside of your cheek using three swabs. The registration kit is sent for testing in a laboratory, while the data are entered into the nationwide and global databases of potential unrelated bone marrow donors. If a donor matches a patient anywhere in the world and can save their life, the DKMS Foundation will contact them and guide them step by step through the donation process.

Registration points

  • November 15, 2023, Wednesday
    9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
    Szpikolada in Uniform at the General and Vocational Education Complex in Bolesławiec
    6 Komuny Paryskiej Street;
  • November 19, 2023, Sunday
    9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
    Złotoryja Cultural Centre in Złotoryja
    5 W. Reymonta Square;
  • November 19, 2023, Sunday
    10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Bolesławiec Cultural Centre in Bolesławiec
    1c Piłsudskiego Square;
  • November 25, 2023, Saturday
    10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Bolesławiec City Center Shopping Centre in Bolesławiec
    1 Asnyka Street.