From grief to giving

Hi, I'm Cecilia. I studied journalism for my undergraduate degree, expecting to complete my studies smoothly. However, in my second year, my mother was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She underwent chemotherapy and other treatments for a year, but they were ineffective. She then tried cell therapy, which boosted her immune system, and gave her more time.

During the summer before my third year, I spent every day in the hospital, with doctors warning me to prepare for her death. I was just 20, and it was a very depressing time. The cell treatment required my monocytes, so I underwent cell extractions. Despite our efforts, my mother eventually passed away. We tried everything, but cancer still took her from me. It felt incredibly unfair because she was such a lovely, kind, and caring person.

Inspiration for creating a show about stem cells

Determined to create something valuable for my final year project in my mother’s memory, I decided to raise awareness about cell therapy. I interviewed experts, charities, and blood cancer survivors to gather as much information as possible for my 27-minute TV show, Dear Cells. I was fortunate to connect with DKMS, who introduced me to valuable interviewees and people with direct experience of stem cell transplantation.

My goal was to raise awareness of cell therapy, blood cancer, and stem cell transplants, understanding the helplessness and frustrations faced by affected families. I wanted to provide hope by showcasing the work of experts and students developing new technologies and solutions for living with cancer.

Joining the register and supporting DKMS

Although I had experience with cell extraction, I learned how to register with DKMS to become a stem cell donor. It's a simple mouth swab, not a complex test, and I learned that if you’re found to be a match for someone needing a stem cell transplant there's only a 10% chance that stem cells need to be taken from bone marrow. I have signed up with DKMS and hope to receive a call soon to give someone a second chance at life. I also gained knowledge about blood cancer treatments and various blood cancers, such as familial HLH and myeloma.

Volunteering with DKMS at three events since registering has shown me their daily hard work to eliminate blood cancer. I aim to contribute as much as possible to raise awareness and support DKMS.

In September, when I start my MA studies in Manchester, I plan to form a volunteer team to continue this mission.

Turning loss into action

I have been inspired by the willingness of people to register without hesitation during events. Their eagerness to help has been touching.

My motivation is to help give more people second chances at life and support DKMS. I am so grateful for their assistance with my final project, which earned me a distinction! My hatred for blood cancer, which took my most important person away, drives me to work towards eradicating it.

I want to bring happiness to people, to see smiles on their faces, as I understand the hopelessness they and their families feel upon hearing a diagnosis. By contributing, I believe we can make a difference in the future.