In Poland, statistically, someone is diagnosed every hour with a blood cancer, or leukemia. One in two patients qualified for a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor fails to find such a donor. Whether this changes depends on us. You too can save someone’s life!

On Friday, March 30, Szpikolada began at the Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących i Zawodowych im. majora Henryka Sucharskiego in Bolesławiec. The event was opened by Laura Słocka-Przydróżna, the school’s principal, who quoted the lyrics of Stanisław Soyka’s song “Tolerancja”: “Life is not only meant for taking / Life is not meant for merely carrying on / And to live, you have to give yourself.” – Anyone can become a volunteer; gender, age, political beliefs and nationality do not matter. What matters is strong motivation and the willingness to devote free time to another person – she stressed. – For several years now, our school has seen a steady increase in teachers’ and students’ involvement in volunteering. Our volunteers take part in various campaigns, both throughout the calendar year and during the school year. Volunteering is an idea that brings people together. Thanks to Szpikolada, we have managed to combine the efforts of many people and many organizations.

“There is nothing more beautiful than being able to save someone’s life,” said during the event’s opening Michał Filimon from the Anna Wierska “Dar szpiku” Foundation. – Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers saved other people’s lives during the war, often losing their own in the process. Without losing our lives, we can become heroes just like them. Leukemia is a very serious disease, but it can be cured. The point of registering with the potential bone marrow donor bank is to be ready for the possibility that one day the phone may ring—the most beautiful phone call of our lives.

During the opening of Szpikolada, ZSOiZ students joined the ranks of the Drużyna Szpiku associated with the “Dar szpiku” Foundation. The event was enhanced by a performance by participants of the Occupational Therapy Workshops and a show promoting the idea of transplantation.

“There are only 300,000 potential bone marrow donors in Poland, compared with 4.5 million in Germany. In our western neighbor, the leukemia cure rate is very high—95–98%; here, it is only 25–30%,” “ii” Zbigniew Herbut, one of Szpikolada’s coordinators, says. – Many myths have grown up around bone marrow collection, including the belief that it is taken from the spine. But there is no bone marrow in the spine, only the spinal cord.

That is why lectures were held as part of the event, during which young people from middle schools and upper-secondary schools could learn more about the idea and aims of the initiative.

More than one hundred potential bone marrow donors registered on the first day! Register—you can do so on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. And if it turns out that you are someone’s genetic twin, you will give someone hope for a new life! Remember to bring an identity document bearing your PESEL number. Registration takes only a moment, is safe and is carried out under medical supervision. Do not remain indifferent!

There is also a fundraising drive, conducted by the DKMS Foundation, and a raffle. A café will also operate, where visitors can buy excellent pierogi and delicious cakes prepared by the school’s students. All proceeds from the sales will go toward bone marrow testing.

There will also be artistic entertainment. Here is the program for the second day of Szpikolada:

  • 10:00 Rhythm group – PSM
  • 10:05 Performance by students of the “Oxpress” school
  • 10:10 PSM rhythm group
  • 10:15 Karolinka and Gabrysia Kłak – dance
  • 10:20 Alicja Basińska – poetry recitation
  • 10:30 BOK-MCC – “Canon” dance group
  • 10:40 State Music School of the first and second degree, Music Center – vocal and instrumental performances by students
  • 11:15 2 Hours – music group
  • 11:30 MDK – performances by participants of the dance studios (Halina Kłak’s groups: Figielki, Etiuda, Modus, as well as Anna Leśniewska’s and Anna Idkowiak’s groups) and the vocal studio (instructor: Marek Łętowski)
  • 12:45 “Ziemi Bolesławieckiej” Song and Dance Ensemble – instructor: Elżbieta Tor
  • 13:00 Poeticon
  • 13:45 Capoeira Gerais Group
  • 14:00 The Stinsons – ZSOiZ student band

The campaign is organized by ZSOiZ in Bolesławiec.

Updated 2012-04-01 21:30

Nearly 200 potential bone marrow donors registered during Szpikolada.

(information: ZSOiZ/ii)