Dear friends, to commemorate the day of Ana’s premature departure, this year we will once again organize the “Open Heart Day” event, which will take place on Thursday, November 27, 2014 from 10 AM to 6 PM at the premises of the Ana Rukavina Foundation (Kneza Mislava 10/1, Zagreb).
We invite all citizens to come and support the action to join the Registry of voluntary hematopoietic stem cell donors. The action “Open Heart Day” is a way to remind citizens that stem cells, which we all have, are the “cure” with which we can bring health to those that are severely ill in Croatia and abroad.
All healthy people between the ages of 18 and 40 can join the Registry. The process to join the Registry includes filling in an application form and a medical questionnaire and giving a blood sample for HLA tissue typing which is the procedure for determining the tissue compatibility antigen. By joining the Registry, our fellow citizens show solidarity with those in need and confirm that their contribution, however small it may seem, can save lives. The importance of joining the Registry of voluntary hematopoietic stem cell donors and the activities of the cord blood bank “Ana Rukavina” will be explained while doctors will be available and happy to answer any questions throughout the day.
Owing to the many donors and donators, over the last 8 years the number of donors listed in the Registry of potential donors of hematopoietic stem cells has risen from the initial 150 to the current number of 45,822 donors. All of the donors in Croatia also potentially help those suffering around the world because the Croatian Registry is part of Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide. So far, a total of 43 people from Croatia and abroad have been given a new lease of life thanks to the Croatian Registry. We are proud of that figure which encourages us to continue to work hard.
We look forward to seeing you!