As of today, Croatian Registry of Voluntary Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors is richer by as many as 133 potential young donors!
Organized by the Ana Rukavina Foundation, University of Split’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty’s Student Union and Alumni association, as well as University of Split’s Student Union, a campaign to register in the Croatian Registry of Hematopoietic Stem Cells was held at Faculty of Health Sciences. The event was particularly marked by the testimony of Petar Marasović, a second-year nursing student, whose life was saved by a bone marrow transplant, thanks to an anonymous donor from abroad, after Petar battled with acute myeloid leukemia.
- Thanks to him, I am alive and healthy today, talking to you, working and studying... I would ask everyone to respond to such actions, to be someone's hero and save someone's life - Marasović said.
Head of Foundation’s Office, Sandra Zeljković, expressed her satisfaction with large response to the first action held at Faculty of Health Sciences.
- With the help of Ana Rukavina Foundation, 68,930 potential donors are currently registered, and 214 patients received hope for saving their lives from the Croatian registry - Zeljković said.
Expert presentations on the importance of donating hematopoietic stem cells were given by adjunct assist. prof. Esma Čečuk Jeličić Ph.D., teaching at Faculty of Health Sciences, a long-time volunteer at Ana Rukavina Foundation and coordinator of cooperation between Foundation and KBC Split, assist. prof. Jasminka Rešić Karara Ph.D., lecturer at the Faculty and physician at (KBC) Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Matijana Mardešić, univ. bacc. med. techn., chief midwife in KBC Split’s Maternity Ward.
At the end, Petar Marasović sent a strong message to the student community, emphasizing that young people represent one of the most important links in the Croatian Hematopoietic Stem Cell Registry.
- Students have incredible strength and enormous importance for the Registry because, due to their age, they will remain potential donors for years to come. This means that someone who registers today may be able to save someone's life in five, ten or fifteen years. That is why students are not only the future of society, but also the future of hope for numerous patients who are waiting for their donor - Marasović said.
