Joint campaign against blood cancer continues: DKMS joins the European League of Football as "Official Charity Partner"

The European League of Football and DKMS are continuing their cooperation and expanding their commitment against the insidious disease of blood cancer. In the 2025 season, which kicks off in mid-May with 16 teams from nine nations, the international non-profit organization headquartered in Tübingen will be the "Official Charity Partner" of the "Champions League" of European Football. The aim of the collaboration is to make as many people as possible aware of the topic and motivate them to register as potential stem cell donors.

"Our sport stands for team spirit, passion and the unconditional will to stand up for each other like no other - and this is exactly what the DKMS mission embodies. As the European League of Football, we want to use our reach and the power of our community to save lives. There is nothing more important than fighting for those who hope for a second chance. Together we can create real heroes by calling on people to register and maybe one day save a life", says ELF Commissioner Patrick Esume.

"Every single one counts"

More than 12.7 million potential donors are registered with DKMS, the non-profit organization has already arranged over 123,000 stem cell donations and is active in Germany, the USA, Poland, the UK, Chile, India and South Africa. Through international projects and aid programs, DKMS provides even more people worldwide with access to life-saving therapy. DKMS is also involved in the fields of medicine, science and research to improve patients' chances of recovery.

"Every 12 minutes, a person in Germany receives the devastating diagnosis of blood cancer, and every 27 seconds worldwide. It is still the most common form of cancer in children. Many cannot survive without a stem cell donation, and the search for suitable donors is always a race against time. However, there is still not a suitable donor for every patient. By cooperating with the European League of Football, we are reaching a passionate and committed community that stands for values such as solidarity and dedication. Together, we can raise awareness for this important topic and recruit many new potential lifesavers. And every single one of them counts", says Stephan Schumacher, Managing Director of DKMS.

"DKMS Game Day" in season 2025

As in the 2024 season there will once again be a "DKMS Game Day" in the season starting in mid-May, on which the official charity partner, together with the European League of Football, will draw attention to the important mission against blood cancer in the stadiums and promote registration as a stem cell donor.