Villacher Bernhard saves life: a way to the stem cell donation

Villacher Bernhard saves life: a way to the stem cell donation

In Villach there was recently a remarkable moment of humanity. Bernhard, a committed citizen, decided to carry out a stem cell donation that could save the life of a leukemia patient in Central Europe. In the beginning he only had the thoughts in his head, possibly to be able to help in the future when he could be typed at the association "Giving for Life". The pain -free cheek smear was still insignificant for him until he realized some time later with the donor card in his hand, which could have immense importance for another person.

Bernhard remembered how several leukemia cases occurred in his environment in the months after his typing. Suddenly he became aware of the severity of this disease when he followed a case up close. In May 2024 he received the news that he was considered as a possible donor. A crucial moment in his life, because now he had the opportunity to actually help.

The way to the life -saving donation

The process of donation of stem cell was not easy and required precise planning from Bernhard. In addition to terms such as G-CSF, a medication that should help him mobilize the required stem cells, he also had to coordinate appointments in his professional life. For four days before the donation, he had to give himself two injections every day, which was a painful and challenging time for him. Nevertheless, he was optimistic and felt well looked after during the entire procedure by the specialists of the medical team and the employees of "Giving for Life".

The stem cell donation took place in the LKH Graz a few weeks after the first contact. When the moment finally came, Bernhard was amazed at the efficiency of the treatment. He felt safe and knew that he contributed to another person through his process. "The number of stem cells required was extracted from my blood in no time at all," he said proudly.

an unforgettable experience

Bernhard describes his donation as "one of the most valuable experiences of my life". In the minutes of the removal of his stem cells, he often thought of the person whose life could be changed by his decision. Every pain and every malaise he passed through was put into perspective by the thought of the recipient. "The emotional burden was strong, but during the donation I realized that I was fighting for a higher purpose," he reflected.

his commitment and its determination appear clearly when he talks about how every moment of discomfort turned into strength. Bernhard not only experiences a personal journey through this experience, but also shows the task and the importance of stem cell donations. It is a statement about what it means to be part of a community that takes care of each other and is ready to stand up for the lives of others. This kind of heroism is what makes “giving life” such an important initiative.

If you also think about being typed, "Give for life" offers the opportunity to either request a typing set from home or participate in public actions. Every healthy person between the ages of 17 and 45 who lives in Austria can become part of this wonderful thing and maybe one day as well as Bernhard save the lives of another person.