Stem cell donors wanted: Greiner Bio-One supports "Geben für Leben – Leukaemia Aid Austria"
When chemotherapy or drug treatment is ineffective, a stem cell donation is often the last hope for people with leukemia, rare blood diseases, and genetic defects. This is exactly where the mission of the association "Geben für Leben – Leukaemia Aid Austria " comes in: to find life-saving stem cell donors for these patients. Greiner Bio-One has been supporting the association and its work since 2021.
Why is stem cell donation so important?
Leukemia and other blood diseases can affect anyone. For many of those affected, a stem cell donation is the only chance of a cure. To make this possible, suitable donors must be found. If the HLA values (parts of the DNA) between the patient and the typed person match, the typed person can save the life of the sick person by donating stem cells.
Greiner Bio-One: Commitment with impact
Since the beginning of the collaboration, Greiner Bio-One has already financed over 4,100 typings (as of 2026). In addition, the company has already organized several internal typing campaigns at its locations in Upper Austria, during which more than 140 employees were typed. They now hope to be able to help a sick person as stem cell donors.
“We are delighted to have the support of Greiner Bio-One. Each typing costs our association 40 euros, which we have to fully finance from donations.”
From typing to potential stem cell donation
Any healthy person between the ages of 17 and 45 can be typed with a cheek swab. The typed person is then available worldwide as a potential donor.
An employee talks about his stem cell donation
Christian Ziegler, a production employee at the Frickenhausen site (Germany), had himself typed by the German organization DKMS in 2023. About a year later, in April 2024, he received a call informing him that he was a potential donor. After several examinations and tests, he was able to donate his healthy stem cells in July 2024.
“While I was still in the hospital, I received the news that my stem cell donation would go to a little girl from Poland between the ages of 0 and 4. I still get goosebumps when I think about how my typing and subsequent donation gives a little girl the chance for a happy and healthy life.”
About the association Geben für Leben – Leukaemia Aid Austria
Geben für Leben was originally founded as a non-profit association in Vorarlberg out of personal concern. In 2015, the association established Austria's first private stem cell donor registry, which has since expanded throughout the country and has grown to become Austria's largest and most successful donor registry.
Learn more about Geben für Leben
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