Ekaterina got acquainted with donation several years ago, when she first donated blood components at the O.K. Gavrilov Blood Center in Tsaritsyno. The girl suffered a difficult procedure, and for several years the topic of donation disappeared from her life. She returned to it already in 2024: she applied through public services and joined the Federal Register.

"I think I saw an interview or a video explaining that bone marrow donation is not related to the spine: cells are taken from the blood, through a vein. That's what helped me make the decision," Ekaterina recalls.

The decisive motivation for the girl was the thought of children: "I wanted to be an example for my sons. They're little now and won't understand, but when they grow up, I'll definitely tell them."

In the spring of 2025, Ekaterina received a call with the news of a coincidence. She only took half a day to think about it, but the decision came quickly. Ekaterina was supported by her husband, and she immediately had a feeling that everything would turn out as it should. The preparation and stimulation were predictable: in the early days, I felt good, but later I had bone aches and weakness.

Although the doctors told Ekaterina about how everything would go, on the day of the donation she felt a little worried: "In the morning I even wrote a circle to my husband in Telegram: "Don't mention evil." I was worried about my veins, as they are very thin. But it worked out the first time."

The procedure itself lasted about four hours and was successful: the body reacted well to the stimulation. Ekaterina doesn't know much about her patient, just his age, but she would really like to meet him in two years.

"It seems to me that everything depends on a person's inner feeling, whether he wants to share it with his surroundings. We need to look for like—minded people nearby and distance ourselves from those who dissuade, at least for the time of donation," says Ekaterina.

The donation process was well organized and left Ekaterina with only positive impressions: "I was covered with a blanket and fed. The doctor and the Registry employee were there all the time, they didn't let me panic. It's a lot of support."

Every donation is a chance at life. We thank Ekaterina for her kindness and commitment to helping those who need it most.

Find out where and how to join in the Federal Register.