Type matching action starts on Friday 22-year-old Safwan from Bonn needs stem cells - urgently
Bonn · Born in Bonn, grew up in Mehlem, did his A levels at the Nicolaus-Cusanus-Gymnasium: Now the 22 year-old Safwan was preparing for his bachelor exams in engineering. Then the sudden diagnosis: Leukemia.
His life was going in a proper, orderly manner: Safwan S. was born in Bonn, grew up in Mehlen and began his engineering studies after passing his A levels at the Nicolaus-Cusanus-Gymnasium. He was preparing for the bachelor exams when a persistent throat ache bothered him about two months ago. „We thought he had the flu and that he would be well again very soon“, says his cousin, Saloua Mohammed.
Only because his mother wouldn’t stop nagging, Safwan went to see a doctor. Two days later he got the terrifying diagnosis: The 22-year-old student is suffering from a particularly aggressive form of leukaemia, his only hope is finding a matching stem cell donor. „Safwan can only survive if - somewhere in this world - a person with very similar tissue characteristics is open minded about a stem cell donation. A matching donor is his last chance“, says his brother, Ayoub S.
Searching for the „genetic twin“
Together with the DKMS (German Bone Marrow Donor Agency), the family is organising two type matching actions this week: This Friday from 11am until 5am in the sports hall of the Heinrich-Hertz-Europakolleg and on Saturday from 11am until 5pm in the family and education centre Haus Vielinbusch (Oppelner Straße 130 in Tannenbusch)
Everybody who is healthy and between 17 and 55 years of age, can be registered as a potential donor for the DKMS. Money donations are also urgently needed, as the charity organisation has to pay the costs of 35 Euro for the registration of each new donor itself.
Currently, Safwan is in hospital. „He’s not well“, reports his cousin Saloua Mohammed, who is a social worker in Tannenbusch. „He got two chemo therapy cycles already. Safwan is very weak. The disease and the side effects of the chemo are exhausting him.“ She says that he pretends to be strong. „He won’t let on how he really feels.“
Hope for large participation
The more donors who get registered, the higher the chance to find a „genetic twin“ for the 22-year-old. „I am so grateful for the support. Without any hesitation we were offered the two locations for the type matching actions“, says the young woman. But because Safwan needs help fast, she is planning more events soon. „I would like to highlight his fate in Bad Godesberg, where he grew up, too. Many people know him there - from school and sports. I am sure that my cousin’s destiny will touch many people“, Saloua Mohammed says, hopefully.
„We are hoping for a large participation. Everybody who takes part, could be a life saver for Safran or another patient. We are thanking everybody who supports us with all our hearts“, says brother Ayoub. „There’s nothing left for me to do but pray that a lot of people will take 15 minutes out of their lives to register at the type matching action and to give Safwan a chance to live“, says Saloua.
(Original text: Gabriele Immenkeppel, Translation: Mareike Graepel)
