Campaign seeks to increase stem cell donors to help leukemia patients

arriveGustina Pascal Barrientos Ríos, 4 years old, was diagnosed last June with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a very aggressive form of blood cancer. After several symptoms of cold, pharyngitis and bronchitis, tests were carried out and a diagnosis was given, which meant that the little girl had to leave the house and start a long-term chemotherapy treatment.

Her mother, Camila Ríos Iturra, emphasized that chemotherapy had taken a very heavy toll on her body and that her defenses were very low, but she was nonetheless a very brave and strong girl, always Smile, be positive, dance and make everyone laugh.

During the course of treatment, he noted, there was a realization that childhood cancer was more common than people thought. In this context, she got acquainted with many foundations: Oncosur Group, Fundación Niño y Cáncer, Damas de Café, Damas de Verde, Oncomamás. Also, he learned about bone marrow transplantation and the DKMS Foundation.

Although Agustina has no indications for transplantation at present, many patients need to find suitable donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation due to fatal blood diseases. To that end, Agustina’s family joined DKMS in calling to encourage them to sign up as potential donors.

Along these lines, from August 23rd to 31st, the DKMS Foundation and Clínica Imet will jointly launch a large-scale campaign to register potential hematopoietic stem cell donors, to give blood cancer patients a new chance at life and to the whole community Send out an invitation to Punta Arenas. Those who want to register must be between the ages of 18 and 55, reside in Chile and be in good health.

The region’s first

DKMS Regional Coordinator Manuel Pérez said this was their first time at Magellan. The foundation’s mission is to give patients with fatal blood diseases such as leukemia (which accounts for 50% of childhood cancers) a second chance at life. There are other deadly blood diseases, and patients, both adults and children, need to be compliant donors survive.

He added that becoming a match is very difficult, but registering is easy, which is why Clínica Imet invites everyone in Punta Arenas to register as potential donors on August 29. The process involves taking a sample of cells from the oral mucosa and then filling out a form with information to contact the person if the cells are compatible. If compatible, it could save a patient’s life, and if a registry of potential patients didn’t exist, the patient might not have had that opportunity.

The Imet Clinic is located at Avenida Bulnes 04236, in front of the Liberty Zone, where people who want to take part in this initiative aimed at giving blood cancer patients a second life can go. For more information, interested persons can write to (email protected) or call +56962148913, Manuel Pérez, DKMS Regional Coordinator, who will be in Punta Arenas until August 31st.