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Fighter Lisa: How a stem cell donation gave her new life
A stem cell donation saved the life of 30-year-old Lisa Schmölz from Rieden am Forggensee. Read her inspiring story.
Fighter Lisa: How a stem cell donation gave her new life
A true hero of life: Lisa Schmölz, 30 years old, from Rieden am Forggensee, won her battle against aplastic anemia with the power of a stem cell donation! This rare disease, in which the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells, has severely affected her life for years. But now, after the life-saving transplant, Lisa is well on her way back to a normal life. With a beaming smile, she reports on her progress and the return to her everyday life.
The turning point came on her 30th birthday. “My everyday life just consisted of getting up, having breakfast and lying down again,” says Lisa, who could hardly concentrate during this time and often lay flat for weeks. The search for a suitable stem cell donor was lengthy and challenging. Friends and family mobilized the DKMS, and over 1,000 people registered. Although no suitable donor was found, the saving news finally came: a donor had been found! The transplant was carried out on June 27, “Day 0,” despite delays in the delivery of the stem cells. “I learned patience during the years of my illness,” says Lisa.
A new phase of life
The transplant went smoothly, and after just three weeks the first positive changes in Lisa's blood values became apparent. Five weeks later she was allowed to go home, where she rewarded herself with her first home-cooked meal – spaghetti Bolognese. She is slowly starting to build up her physical fitness again and plans to resume her dual studies in industrial engineering and mechanical engineering. Your dreams are big: a family vacation is at the top of the list!
Lisa has the support of her family, friends and colleagues and has never doubted herself. Her blog “Lisa Lebe Lache” helps her process her experiences and encourage others affected. Whether she would like to contact her donor is still up in the air, but she knows one thing for sure: “I knew that another day would come when I would sit there and laugh as normal.”