Once the donation procedure is complete, speed is of the essence, and the stem cells must reach the patient within 72 hours. The stem cells are delivered in person by a courier – a highly important and responsible task.
Thanks to thousands of supporters around the world, cross-border stem cell donations are also possible. Their efforts have enabled us to provide patients across the globe with the life-saving stem cells they so urgently need.
One such courier is Mathew. Here he reports on his experiences as a stem cell courier and the special challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mathew, volunteer stem cell courier:
“After many hours on trains, at airports, and in the air, the moment when I can finally hand the stem cell donation over at the recipient’s hospital is particularly special. I can feel tremendous pressure just fall away because at that moment I’m no longer responsible for two lives, I’m just responsible for my own life again. But there’s also a feeling of elation and tremendous satisfaction.”