Fighting blood cancer: Every cheek smear counts for Pia!

Fighting blood cancer: Every cheek smear counts for Pia!

Every year in Austria, around 76 children and adolescents up to 14 years of age develop leukemia, also known as blood cancer. This troubling number shows the urgency of mobilizing people between the ages of 17 and 45 as a potential stem cell donor. The association "Giving for Life - Leukemiahilfe Austria" calls again to help with a simple cheek smear. "The more people can be typed, the greater the chances that affected children, like the two -year -old girl Pia from Oberwart, will find a suitable donor," explains Susanne Marosch, chairwoman of the club. As 5min.at , can often only remain in life without timely diagnosis and treatment in acute leukemia. But in the event of early detection, the chances of survival increase to an impressive 95 percent.

pia is a lively child who is severely restricted by blood cancer in her zest for life. At the moment she has to spend time in the hospital in Graz and is faced with a delicate chemotherapy process. "The condition of your blood is so bad that frequent blood washes are necessary," it said in a moving message from Today.at . Your family, including her father, who works for the police and fire brigade, mobilizes a large network to find a suitable donor. However, the chances are not good, which is why it is all the more important that as many people as possible can be typed. A typing is simple and can be carried out comfortably at home with a free set of "Give for Life".

call for typing

The association draws attention to a typing date in Pinkafeld, where interested parties can help. "Every cheek smear can save lives!" emphasizes the team of “Give for Life”. If someone cannot appear personally, it is possible to order a typing set and remove the sample at home. The initiative aims to expand the donor's database and thus increase the opportunities for Pia and many other affected children worldwide. It could be the difference between life and death - especially for the three new patients in Austria every day who hope for a suitable stem cell donor.