Blood donation cup: Fight together against rare anemia!

Blood donation cup: Fight together against rare anemia!

A notable event recently attracted attention in Großsteinhausen: Jens and Alexandra Busse organized a “blood donation cup” on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day to draw attention to the life-saving importance of blood donations. The focus of the initiative is her nine-year-old son Henry, who was diagnosed with the rare congenital disorder Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). This disease, first described in 1938, leads to a disorder in the formation of red blood cells and can be associated with other malformations and an increased risk of cancer, as the Diamond-Blackfan anemia self-help explains.

In collaboration with SV Großsteinhausen, a blitz tournament was held for E and D youth soccer players, which brought the sporting community together. The West Blood Donor Service was on site with a modern truck that offered six donor beds and helped listeners learn more about the possibility of donating blood for the first time. Ute Mann, phlebotomy assistant, was also there and informed visitors about the process and the importance of donations.

Understand the donation process

How does donating work? Melvin Porth, paramedic and driver of the blood donation vehicle, explained to those present that donors should be well prepared. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 liters of water and eat normally before undergoing a preliminary consultation after completing a medical questionnaire. Half a liter of blood is then taken in about ten minutes. Anyone aged 18 or over can donate, although there has recently been no upper age limit. Blood donations from group zero negative are particularly in demand.

Blood donations are invaluable: around 12-15 percent of donated blood is needed for surgery, while the majority is used to treat cancer patients. Successful first-time donors, like Karolin Baqué, reported a positive experience and saw it as a great opportunity to be able to help right on their doorstep. Older participants, like Erhard Vogelgesang, who donated for the 53rd time, encouraged others to try too and set an example for the community.

An emotional connection

The event was not only a call for blood donations, but also a symbol of cohesion and solidarity in the community. There was a festive barbecue atmosphere in the outdoor area, while the football tournament mode ensured sporting competition. The idea for the blood donation cup came from Henry himself, who is completely passionate about football.

A little joke during the evening couldn't hurt: the raffle was a complete success and all proceeds went to the wish box at the children's clinic in Ulm without any deductions. Alexandra Busse, a blood donor herself, emphasized that health cannot be taken for granted. She and her husband are committed to raising awareness about DBA and the challenges that the disease brings with it, which not only affects the children affected, but also their families.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia can make children very unhappy, with over 90% of patients diagnosed in the first year of life. The disease not only brings with it symptoms of anemia such as fatigue and pale skin, but around 25% of patients also struggle with additional malformations. In Germany there are currently around 240 cases recorded in the DBA register.

Participation and support of the blood donation service, as well as the community event, are a strong sign that help is closer than you think. It remains to be hoped that such initiatives will help to raise public awareness of the need for blood and stem cell donations. Projects like Diamond-Blackfan-Anemia Selbsthilfe e.V. and the research funded under the EU program could bring significant progress in the fight against this rare but serious disease in the future.

The event shows how important it is to stand up for others - and makes it clear: together we can achieve a lot.