"Before telling a wonderful experience as bone marrow donation, there is something that serves as a fuse and lets you begin the testimony. In my case there were two inspirations. The first one was given to me by my 10-year-old daughter, who right after coming back from the hospital, gave me one of those smiles which, without using words, communicate a myriad of feelings and illuminate a football stadium. The second was given to me by a co-worker who made me see that the life you're helping to save or improve is not only that of the person receiving the marrow but of all the people who love that person.

Furthermore, this process which appears to be complex and delicate, is actually the most feasible, simple and affordable thing you can ever imagine. As I am very fond of cycling, I compare it with a cycling tour of those short ones which last a week. Since they detect that you are compatible with a patient until the apheresis takes place, there are only two or three steps, no more, with a team of people who are eager to make the process even easier for you, without any financial cost to the donor and shortening the time in a tremendous way.

And like the cycling tours, there is also a queen stage. I'm not referring to the moment you donate but when the receiver is infused what you donated. For obvious reasons of anonymity of all parties, I wasn't present at the time and know nothing except that the transplant took place on the next day, but I'm sure it was a scene full of hope. To imagine the hope painted on the face of that person thinking about it all going well, I consider myself a hundred times gratified. Whoever you are, I wish you a speedy recovery.

It is for this reason that, with humility and with no intention of lecturing anyone, I believe that a way to give back to life what it has given us in the form of good health, is to share with those who have not been so fortunate and try to cooperate in every possible way.

Therefore I encourage everyone to take a step forward and become donors. Be assured that many people will thank you, including myself.

Hugs,"

Daniel

If you want more information about the donation of bone marrow to help many leukaemia patients to have the opportunity of a cure, click HERE. Remember that the donation of bone marrow is altruistic, anonymous, and universal. If you register as a bone marrow donor, you could be making a donation to a person from anywhere in the world. If you want more information, write to donants@fcarreras.es or call us on our free phone number (in Spain) 900 32 33 34.

You could also become a member of the José Carreras Foundation. With a little amount you could help us to continue our research.