Unstoppable Testimonies

My name is Ramón, I am 23 years old, and I am studying a degree in Industrial Engineering. And since a few months ago, I have had the wonderful good fortune to be able to say that I have been a bone marrow donor.

This whole idea of joining the REDMO register started in 2013. At 19, I was walking on my way to catch the train home. As luck would have it, that day I met a guy who was handing out leaflets. They provided information on how to donate bone marrow and how this could save a person’s life. At the time, I was already a blood donor, but the idea of donating bone marrow was something that had never crossed my mind. That September, after having read all the information on the Josep Carreras Foundation website, I decided to join the REDMO register. All it took was the signing of a few short forms and a small blood sample, and… I was in! From that moment on, all I had to do was wait for someone compatible with me to need help, so that I could do my bit to help them in their struggle.

To be honest, I always thought they would never call me. More than 4 years later, in October last year, my moment arrived. A call from the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Seville informed me that I was one of the best matches for a patient in need of a donation. So they asked me to have a blood test to see if I was the most suitable candidate. The joy you feel when you receive such a call for the first time is indescribable.

A few weeks later, I received a call from Mariam. She was in charge of giving me the big news:  I was the person most compatible with the patient, so… I was going to be the donor! If I was already excited with the first call, you should have seen my face when they tell you that you are the one chosen to save a person.

From this moment on, the countdown for the donation began. Over the next few days, Mariam made all the arrangements. I only had to go to the Virgen del Rocío Hospital for one day to have a complete medical check-up before the donation, and to pick up the pre-donation injectable treatment. Despite living in a town very close to the hospital, Mariam offered me all the facilities for the donation, making the whole process as convenient as possible, which is very much appreciated.

Finally, in December, the day of the donation arrived. I was given an appointment in the morning, and after an initial test, I was informed that the stem cell levels in my bloodstream were very high, so I was completely ready to donate. The process was quite fast in my case (it only took a little less than 3 hours, when I was told that 4 hours is normal). The whole medical team was lovely and was very attentive to everything I needed while I was donating (they even put my headphones on when I dropped them, ha ha).

I find the whole process quite exciting because you know that there is another person who, although you don’t know them, is always there. It creates a bond between the two of you, even though you don’t know anything about each other.

I would just like to send a message to all those who are hesitant about joining the REDMO register: Go ahead and do it! It’s not every day you can save someone’s life!

Also, I would like to tell my “twin” the following: wherever you are, I send you lots of encouragement: I trust that, although we have not been able to meet, next year we will be able to celebrate your first transplant anniversary, even if it is from afar.

Finally, I would especially like to thank Mariam for all her support and work. Her friendly manner, her “hello gorgeous” on the phone or her questions about my exams make every call memorable. I would also like to thank the entire team at the Virgen del Rocío Hospital for their dedication to me, making me feel at home during the hours I spent in the hospital.