"Could happen to anyone": Maximilian Beier registers as a stem cell donor | OneFootball

Maximilian Beier is leading not only on the football field. The 22-year-old striker from Borussia Dortmund is also committed to the fight against blood cancer. The BVB professional has now registered with the German Stem Cell Donor Registry (DSD).

Every year, around 14,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with blood cancer or leukemia, including 600 children. Every 27 seconds, someone worldwide receives a blood cancer diagnosis. Treatment methods include stem cell transplantation. Thirty percent of those affected find a stem cell donor within their family, while the remaining 70 percent need donors who are not related to them.

To encourage as many people as possible to register as potential donors, the DSD has launched an advertising campaign. Beier is now publicly advocating for this important issue, as announced by BVB on its website. The occasion for the campaign is "World Marrow Donor Day" (WMDD) on September 20. On this day, the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) thanks all those who have registered or have even already donated stem cells.

"Saving a Life"

"I want to show how easy it is to help people. The diagnosis of blood cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, origin, or lifestyle – it is all the more important to have the opportunity to help with a suitable stem cell donation to save lives," explains Beier. The Dortmund striker wants to use his reach accordingly "to help people himself and to encourage others to do the same."

The Bundesliga professional also explains how the registration process (www.registrieredich.com) works: "Many people may not know how easy and quick it is to register as a stem cell donor or have questions about the process. That's why I want to show how simple it is to help other people. The process is not as complicated as it might seem: Quickly swab the cheek, put the swab in the envelope, send it back, and wait for the call to be able to save a life."

Maike Hornberg, managing director of the DSD, is "very grateful" that Beier "publicly registers as a potential stem cell donor to raise awareness about the important issue of blood cancer and stem cell donation." She hopes "that it inspires many young people to register as well."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.