Week 12 motto: "Let's tackle blood cancer together!"

This Sunday it is not only about drives, scores and victories: All five matches on German ground will be held under the motto "Let's tackle blood cancer."

At the matches in Stuttgart, Cologne, Munich, Berlin and Duisburg, there will be DKMS stands in the stadiums where spectators can register as stem cell donators. This can be a life-saving measure.

Fight against cancer has tradition in American football

The fight against cancer has a long tradition in American football. Since many years, the NFL has a themed match day to create awareness for the issue of women's breast cancer. The topic of blood cancer was part of ProSiebenSat.1's NFL coverage for many years. Thanks to the ranNFL community, it was actually possible to save a life. And many new stem cell donators were registered.

This is exactly what the European League of Football wants to achieve as well. The aim of the motto Game Week is to sensitise as many people as possible for the topic of stem cell donation and blood cancer and encourage as many fans as possible to register. Last season registration campaigns already happened with the ELF teams Cologne Centurions, Frankfurt Galaxy, Munich Ravens and Stuttgart Surge. This season there is an official cooperation in place with DKMS, and consequently a special motto Game Day, happening this Sunday.

Every 27 seconds someone is diagnosed with blood cancer

Why is the topic important? For many people with blood cancer, a stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure if chemotherapy alone is not enough. The donator's stem cells are infused directly into the patient's bloodstream. After the diseased body has absorbed the new stem cells, they settle in the bone cavities and build up a completely new blood system there so that the patient can become healthy again.

Every 27 seconds someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. A donation can save lives, and that’s why the ELF wants to raise awareness among as many people as possible, inform what it's all about - and tell your story! Share your personal story about stem cell donation and blood cancer with us. Just send an email to [email protected] and feel free to include pictures that we can share.

"Let's tackle blood cancer together!"