Is it really 'Helping' or is it our duty to 'Life'?!

As someone who believes LinkedIn should primarily be a platform for professional exchanges rather than personal anecdotes, I've chosen to share this story. My intention isn't to persuade you that I lean more towards a Blue personality type than a Red one (you can discover your own colour profile here ), but rather to offer some food for thought. Ideally, I hope to inspire you and even motivate you to take action.

On a bright and sunny spring day, my family and I were enjoying a leisurely stroll around the Hala Stulecia when we noticed a group of people engaged in some kind of activity. As we got closer, we realized they were volunteers from the Fundacja DKMS , encouraging passersby to join their program. Back in 2015, I wasn't very familiar with DKMS or their mission, so we listened as the volunteers shared their stories. Ultimately, inspired by what we learned, each of us decided to contribute our DNA samples, which was as simple as a quick swab in the mouth. That was it... no more to say.

In September 2017, my life took an unexpected turn. I was on my way to northern Poland for a meeting with a client from Telit Cinterion when I received an unexpected phone call. A pleasant lady on the other end reminded me of my participation in a DKMS program back in 2015, an event I had completely forgotten about. She kindly explained the reason for her call: there was a possibility that my bone marrow could save someone recently diagnosed with leukemia. She inquired if I was still willing to honor my commitment and donate my bone marrow if it was a match.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the production of an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells.

Faced with this question, I didn't hesitate or ponder the decision. Without a second thought, I firmly stated my willingness to donate, even if it meant undergoing surgery. "Yes," I said, fully committed to the cause.

After discussing my decision with my fiancé and family, I received their unwavering support, despite our collective lack of knowledge about the bone marrow donation process. We all shared a common misconception that bone marrow was extracted ONLY from the iliac bone, a thought that admittedly was a bit intimidating for us.

A few weeks later I was invited for a series of what I jokingly refer to as 'vampire tests', since it involved giving a nice amount of my blood. This was my first encounter with a truly dedicated medical team and also the first time I saw individuals battling leukemia firsthand.

Several weeks later, I received news that I was an ideal match for a patient battling blood cancer. My commitment to help was unwavering, and soon after, the donation process began. Contrary to what some might think, the process wasn't overly demanding or time-consuming for me. I was scheduled for a full day of diverse medical tests, often being fast-tracked through queues as I was identified as a donor. This made me feel somewhat special, although I still believed I wasn't doing anything extraordinary.

The real journey began as time ticked on. I was informed that my bone marrow would be extracted from my blood, eliminating the need for surgery. Instead, I would be donating stem cells. This required daily injections of a substance that made me feel flu-like symptoms. It was an uncomfortable experience; every muscle ached, and my head felt like it was spinning. After ten days of preparation, the final step was surprisingly simple. I sat in a comfortable chair for four hours, much like a blood transfusion, and watched a Netflix series while my stem cells were collected.

The medical team and fellow bone marrow recipients expressed a lot of gratitude towards me, but personally, I felt like I hadn't done much. To me, the discomfort I experienced was minor compared to, say, a visit to the dentist or enduring the last season of "Game of Thrones". The donation process was relatively effortless, involving just a few days devoted to the procedure. Moreover, it turned out to be beneficial for me as well since I underwent a thorough medical examination. This left me wondering, did I truly deserve all the appreciation I was receiving?

I don't view myself as a life-saver or a hero, like my 'DNA-twin', because that seems too grand a title. There are many around us who contribute far more, risking their lives or dedicating themselves entirely to helping others. However, regardless of how I see myself, I played a part in someone's fight against cancer. I offered a chance that I would hope for if I were in the same situation. I'm not sure if the individual who received my donation survived and overcame their illness, but I choose to believe that our small actions, particularly in such contexts, are significant.

With this in mind, I want to inspire you to join the DKMS initiative and make this life-giving gift to someone in need. As Christmas approaches, consider that this act of kindness could be the most meaningful gift you ever give.

Below you may see the journey DKMS invited me... :)