Stem cells from a man from Luxembourg saved a child’s life

Sven Tessaro (Sven Tessaro), who works as a caretaker at a secondary school and lives in the Luxembourgish commune of Weicherdange, has donated his stem cells to treat a seriously ill two-year-old patient from Germany. Several years ago, he registered with the Plooschter Projet’s database of potential donors – a project dedicated to fighting leukaemia – in the hope of one day saving someone’s life.

Stem cell transplantation requires a high degree of genetic compatibility between the donor and the recipient. Consequently, a successful treatment requires an extensive and diverse register of volunteers. The wider the pool of potential donors, the greater the likelihood that a patient will find a suitable match and have the chance of a full recovery.

Upon learning that his genetic profile was a match for a patient awaiting treatment, Sven Tessaro agreed to the procedure without hesitation. Initially, the donor was not interested in the recipient’s identity; however, when it emerged that the stem cells were intended for a two-year-old child, the situation took on a special emotional significance for him. Tessaro, who is a father himself, admitted that he would like to meet the boy in person. He now hopes that his story will encourage others to become donors. In his view, any concerns about the medical examination or the procedure itself pale in comparison to the chance to save a human life.

In Luxembourg, you can register as a potential donor at events organised by Plooschter Projet. In addition, volunteers can have the relevant blood test carried out through the Picken Doheem and BioneXt partner networks, at Ketterthill and Laboratoires Réunies laboratories, and at CHEM and CHL hospitals.