Together against blood cancer

"Franken für das Leben" ("Franconia for life") is the name of an initiative by several Franconian companies that support DKMS in the fight against blood cancer - including NürnbergMesse. One employee has already saved a life with his donation.

Written by Maximilian Hensel

A man is sitting at a desk with two computer monitors in the background.

Every twelve minutes a person in Germany receives the devastating diagnosis of blood cancer, worldwide every 27 seconds. Blood cancer is the most common form of cancer in children. Many patients can only survive with a stem cell donation. However, the probability of actually donating stem cells is only around 1 percent. One in a hundred - that applies to Andreas Müller. The NürnbergMesse employee registered in 2012 and was able to save the life of a child with his donation in 2016.

How did you find out about the possibility of registering with DKMS?

That was through my wife at the time. There was a DKMS registration campaign at her sports club. She was already registered and told me how easy it was. It was a good opportunity for me and I decided to do it too.

What motivated you to register?

I registered because you can potentially help someone with very little effort. You get a package sent to your home from DKMS. It contains a swab for a mouth swab - it's even easier than a coronavirus test and can be done in two minutes.

How did you find out that you could be a suitable donor?

About four years later, DKMS called me and told me that there was someone who matched my parameters. They asked if I would still be willing to donate. I agreed and next went to the dermatologist for a precise blood count. DKMS covered all the costs. The blood test confirmed that I was a suitable donor. I was then asked again whether I would like to continue with the donation.

A man is sitting at a desk working on a computer with two monitors. The left-hand monitor shows a website with the title “Frequently asked questions”. — Lots of information and answers about registering and donating can be found at dkms.de

How did the donation take place?

After I accepted, DKMS told me which clinics I could donate at. The Nuremberg North Clinic was one of them. I was examined there and received various explanatory talks, including about the type of donation. There are two options: a minor operation or a blood donation. In my case, the minor operation initially turned out to be the better option.

I was then asked one last time whether I wanted to make the donation. This was the final acceptance, because the recipient would then also be prepared for the donation with treatment. The operation took place in the oncology department in Nuremberg North. I received excellent treatment there and everyone was super friendly. I went to the hospital the night before, the operation was in the morning and I stayed for three days. Looking back, it really was a mini-surgery, I had no complaints and no consequences.

And that's it already?

Not quite. Two weeks later, I was informed by DKMS that the donation had unfortunately not worked, so we tried the second method again. This was also super easy and was basically like a blood donation - except that it is done in a hospital and takes about four hours. But you are kept super entertained with books and movies. This donation also worked!

Do you know who received your donation?

Yes, I was asked if I wanted to know after the first procedure. The donation went to a then ten-year-old boy abroad - that was in 2016. To this day, I receive an annual letter from DKMS with an update on how the boy is doing today.

How did the donation feel for you?

Above all, I was very surprised. My wife has been registered for over 15 years and has never been considered for a donation. And I don't know anyone else who has been a match either.

A man sits in an office chair and gestures with both hands. Large windows with a view of buildings can be seen in the background. — "Help someone with little effort", said employee Andreas Müller, motivating people to take part in the registering programme.

What do you say to people who are afraid of it?

That you really don't have to be afraid! Registration is super easy and ten times more pleasant than a corona test - just put a stick in your mouth. The blood donation is a short prick and a little patience. And the surgical procedure also went off without any pain or after-effects for me.

Would you register again?

By all means! I think it's important that as many people as possible register because the match rate is so low. You can help a person with very little effort for the donor.

Thank you for talking to us, Andreas!

Author

Maximilian Hensel

Online-Redaktion // Press Officer Corporate Communications