In people who develop blood cancer (leukemia), the healthy blood cells are displaced by the cancer cells. Stem cell therapy is often the only chance of healing. The likelihood of finding a suitable donor is 1 to 500,000.
The Interior Ministry (BMI) and the Austrian Red Cross (ÖRK) have for the first time completed a cooperation agreement in the field of stem cell donation. From now on, BMI employees have the opportunity to voluntarily register as a stem cell donor as part of the blood donation actions.
In addition, information fuses with a reference to a free online registration under www.stammzelle.at distributed. People between the ages of 18 and 35 can register, a donation is possible up to the age of 55.
On January 31, 2025, the first registration campaign took place in the education center of the St. Pölten Security Academy. The general director for public security, Franz Ruf, the head of the group of chief medical service, psychological service, security academy, Eva Gollubits, the general secretary of the ÖRK, Michael Opriesnig, and the deputy medical director of the blood donation center for Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, Ursula Kreil, got a picture of the start of the campaign.
“With the willingness of our police students for a stem cell donation, we make an important contribution to increasing the chances of healing for people who are seriously ill. We have been supporting the Austrian Red Cross with blood donation campaigns for decades. From now on we are expanding our cooperation in order to be able to save even more life, ”said Ruf.
In 2024 alone, 3,900 police students took part in 50 blood donation campaigns in the education centers, reported Gollubits. This also proves that “we succeed in teaching not only the knowledge and skills that is necessary for the police profession, but also to promote awareness of social cohesion.”
“We are pleased that with this cooperation agreement, many young people are gained for the fight against blood cancer,” said Opriesnig. “With every registration, the chances of survival increase by people who are affected by the diagnosis of blood cancer.”
Kreil added: “It is important that young people in particular register, because their stem cells often enable better therapy success. The police students make an important contribution. They expand the stem cell donation register, increasing the chance of successful therapies and thus also donating hope. ”
Eva-Maria Franke, Past Governor Correspondence of Lions Clubs International, referred to the existing cooperation with the Red Cross for years and emphasized that this cooperation made an important contribution to defeating blood cancer and giving affected people a chance of healing.