A firefighter's commitment to life
Adam extends his dedication to saving lives beyond battling fires by donating stem cells.
Adam, a 34-year-old firefighter with the Cleveland Fire Brigade in the North East of England, is married with two young children. He loves the outdoors – mountain biking, walking and coaching his son’s rugby team. He also represents the spirit of heroism – both in his job and in his incredible act of compassion as a stem cell donor.
Discovering DKMS
Adam's journey with DKMS began in September 2019 at a swabbing event at the Cleveland Fire Station. Inspired by a colleague who had received stem cell treatment through DKMS and had since recovered, Adam decided to sign up. “It was really easy – just some mouth swabs and a few quick questions, and then I was on the register,” he recalls.
Adam's dedication deepened when he received a call informing him that he was a match for a patient in need. Although his first scheduled donation was cancelled due to a change in the patient’s treatment plan, a second call a few months later led him to a hospital in Sheffield for PBSC donation.
“In the run-up I had to do the injections, which left me feeling a bit sore, but it was to prepare my body and the most important thing was that I knew my donation would be making a big difference to someone.” he shared.
Sending stem cells overseas
Adam’s donation process was smooth and swift. After a single session, enough stem cells were collected, allowing him to return home to his family the same day. “Whilst donating, I listened to a podcast and read some books. The staff were amazing, and my family was pleased to have me back home by 7pm,” he shares.
In a follow-up call with DKMS, Adam learned that his recipient was a woman in Argentina. “It’s amazing that we have the medical technology today to harvest my stem cells and send them over the ocean! I wish we could help everyone in need, but it was really nice to help someone and possibly give them another chance.”
Spreading the word
Reflecting on his experience, Adam emphasizes the ease and importance of registering as a donor. “It’s dead easy to get registered – some of my colleagues at work have commented on how easy the whole process has been!”
“If you can help someone, it’s nice to be the person who can offer hope to someone who is suffering. In my work as a firefighter, that’s something I have to be ready to do every day, so it’s second nature to me.
“Take a stand -- be a person who can change something!”
