There are moments in life that turn our lives upside down. For me, this was January 2012, when my mother died of leukemia. This event not only had a profound impact on me, but also changed my view of life and the importance of being helpful. Since the devastating diagnosis in 2010, I have been registered with DKMS - as a stem cell donor. It is a decision that is easy to make and can have a huge impact. In November, I received a letter in the post from DKMS, the kind you get from time to time. It contained the story of Moritz. He describes his impressions and feelings about his stem cell donation experience and shares his journey with us. This is the beginning of a special friendship that transcends borders.
A small step to DKMS can turn into a big adventure
Registering with DKMS is surprisingly simple: cotton buds, a few minutes' time and a willingness to help. That's all it takes to possibly save a life one day. That's exactly what Moritz from Lörrach did in 2017 when he registered with the DKMS as part of a school campaign. File of the DKMS had his stem cells recorded. At the time, he had no idea that his stem cells would save the life of little Javiera from Chile just three years later.
For me, registering was not only a commitment to my late mother, but also a way to actively give hope. In 2020, I was actually shortlisted as a donor. The thought of being able to help someone was exciting. Although I didn't end up donating, this exciting experience showed me how much compassion and humanity there is in moments like this.
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Saving a life: Moritz and Javiera
Moritz, the former pupil, received the news in spring 2020 that he was a potential donor. This brought a special The challenge He had to overcome his fear of needles. But with the thought that a person on the other side of the world was depending on him, he overcame this hurdle. His stem cells embarked on an incredible journey of 12,000 kilometers to Chile. There, nine-year-old Javiera, who had been battling leukemia since the age of three, waited eagerly for her last hope.
It's hard to imagine how emotional this connection must be. Two years after the donation, Moritz was finally allowed to visit Javiera. In her eyes, he was not only a lifesaver, but her genetic twin. This meeting shows how stem cell donations can not only save lives, but also connect lives.
A personal drive to give hope
As someone who has experienced a loss from leukemia myself, I know how important the work of DKMS is. The great thing about it is that it is possible for anyone aged 17 and over to register, and from the age of 18 you can donate your own stem cells. The simplicity of the process and the huge importance for patients motivate me to support DKMS to this day.
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Moritz's story is proof that courage and compassion can move mountains. It reminds me that one day I too could give someone hope. Even if I have not yet been considered as a donor, this possibility remains - and with it the thought that we can all be part of a greater whole.
Together with DKMS for a better future
Now that the 13th anniversary of his death is slowly approaching, I still feel the deep Loss and I remember the long journey we took as a family back then. My journey with DKMS began out of deep sadness, but it developed into a journey full of hope.
Every individual can make a difference. And even if it is sometimes just a cotton bud that changes the world, one thing remains clear: playing Life saving is more than just a motto - it is a reality that we can shape together. Or as Moritz would say: "If we stick together, we can really make a difference."
And when will you register to donate stem cells?
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