„Everything done right, even though I'm afraid to see blood.“

It has been almost two years since we organised a huge typing campaign at INNO TAPE.In addition to our employees, Feddersen Automobile employees also had themselves typed - luckily, we can proudly say today! Because just a short time later, Olaf Brandes, a bodywork and vehicle construction mechanic at Feddersen Automobile, became a life-saver. We were very pleased about this and asked him for an interview in cooperation with the marketing department of Feddersen Automobile.

The registration campaign took place in May 2018 - when did you receive the news that you were eligible to be a donor?

“It happened relatively quickly, already in the following months of July or August.

What happened exactly? Were you simply called?

“I received a letter and they told me that I could be a possible match. I was asked to attend the preliminary examination, which took place in October 2018.“

What happened next?

"I was invited to Cologne to the DKMS centre. A few more tests were done to determine that I was a suitable donor. The real information only came at the preliminary examination. They explained all the possibilities to me in a very nice and friendly way and told me that bone marrow donation was th best option for my support. After the very pleasant stay, I decided to take the official step for bone marrow donation in January 2019."

How did you feel about that?

"Very good. I felt very comfortable and in the right hands. I was sceptical at first whether I could even withstand an eight-hour blood collection, because I can't stand seeing blood. But now I can say I would choose to donate blood again because you have such a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere on site."

What happened after the donation?

"I stayed at the clinic for two more days and was then allowed to go home. I was given a telephone number where I could call at any time if I had any further questions. I had a follow-up examination at my family doctor's and all the necessary documents were sent there from Cologne. Six months after the donation, I received a letter telling me how I was feeling after the donation and another letter saying that my donation had worked for the patient.

How did it feel to know that you might be able to save someone's life?

" You don't have a real feeling directly. I guess it's because you don't have a personal connection. However, when you think that friends and family can also get another chance at life through it if needed, it's a really great thing to save lives."

Do you know to whom the donation was given and whether it was successful?

"In my case, I was only allowed to know that it is a woman and that she lives in America. That is the only thing I know and am allowed to know. You are only allowed to know to which sex the donation went, whether it was a child or an adult and to which country. I am not even allowed to know the state or age. But if the country doesn't want the donor to know where the donation is going, they won't say anything."

Would you do it again?

"Yes, definitely. But now I'm blocked for the patient from America for two years, so I can only donate for her if needed."

[Translate to Englisch:]