Eberswalde mobilizes: stem cell donation for leukemia patient Katharina!

Eberswalde mobilizes: stem cell donation for leukemia patient Katharina!

There is great need in Eberswalde because 28-year-old Katharina, an emergency paramedic and medical student, is fighting blood cancer. After her diagnosis, she is undergoing intensive chemotherapy and urgently needs a stem cell donation to overcome her illness. To support Katharina, the GLG Werner Forßmann Klinikum Eberswalde and the German Bone Marrow Donor Registry (DKMS) have launched a registration campaign.

This campaign will take place on June 27, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the hospital's emergency center. What's special: In addition to the opportunity to register, a cake bazaar is also organized, the proceeds of which are donated directly to the DKMS. “We hope that numerous supporters will register or support the campaign by purchasing cakes,” the clinic invites all citizens to take part. If you cannot register in person, you have the option of doing so online DKMS website to do.

Importance of stem cell donations

Blood cancer is one of the most common cancers in children and often requires a stem cell transplant to be successfully treated. In Germany, someone receives this tragic diagnosis every 12 minutes; worldwide, it happens every 27 seconds. The hope for a cure often lies with stem cell donors. “Around 22,000 people die of leukemia in Germany every year, and a suitable stem cell donation can ensure survival for many,” explains the DKMS, which is committed to the fight against blood cancer.

Stem cells develop in the body into all types of blood cells that are responsible for important functions: red blood cells transport oxygen, white blood cells fight infections and blood platelets are responsible for clotting. Without a suitable donation, treatment can often not be successful, especially if chemotherapy does not have the desired effect.

How does a stem cell donation work?

The stem cell donation method is crucial for recovery. There are two main methods: peripheral stem cell collection, which is most commonly used, and bone marrow collection. During peripheral stem cell collection, blood is taken, similar processes to dialysis. To do this, the donors must take a medication to increase stem cell production. The collection takes around 3 to 5 hours and the donors can usually leave the clinic on the same day.

Bone marrow removal, on the other hand, takes place under general anesthesia and is carried out in specialized clinics. A mixture of bone marrow and blood is taken from the iliac crest. The health risks are low, but it requires careful medical examination of donors. “It is important that we address younger donors in particular, as their stem cells often have fewer mutations and increase the chances of recovery,” explains the DKMS.

Every year, around 150,000 people drop out of the DKMS donor database for reasons of age, which underlines the urgency of attracting new donors. Currently only 25 percent of registered DBMS members are between 18 and 30 years old, and they donate 65 percent of all stem cells.

For Katharina and many others, the hope of a stem cell donation remains crucial. Support the campaign, get information and help save lives. The cake bazaar and the registration campaign are just a small step, but it can have a big impact. Follow Katharina's journey via Instagram and become part of this important community.