Tzu Chi's hematopoietic stem cell registration and blood sampling event seeks to expand the database through collaborative efforts, helping more children with illnesses. | Photo: Taoyuan City Government

Amidst the excitement of a recent event at Taoyuan City’s Rakuten Baseball Stadium in Taiwan, a significant initiative unfolded, offering a beacon of hope for patients battling blood diseases. The "114th Rakuten Pet-Friendly Zone" activation ceremony, designed to create a shared viewing space for fans and their beloved pets, also hosted a vital public service: the International Lions Club invited Tzu Chi volunteers to set up a booth for hematopoietic stem cell donation registration. This collaboration allowed attendees to engage in a meaningful act of compassion while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Expanding the Lifeline Database

Each year, tens of thousands of individuals worldwide suffer from blood disorders, urgently needing hematopoietic stem cell transplants. The timely discovery of a compatible donor is often the deciding factor in a patient's chance of survival. Taiwan's current donor database holds over 489,000 records as of July 31, 2025. However, with donors over 55 years old being gradually removed from the registry, there is a continuous need to recruit young, healthy individuals. Those between 18 and 46 years old who meet health criteria are encouraged to register, as a successful genetic match could save a life.

A Partnership for Hope

The event was spearheaded by Gang-Chen Fan (范綱宸), Chairman of the International Lions Club 300B District 5 Children's Cancer Committee, who mobilized approximately thirty Lions Club members to participate. He explained that the Lions Club has a long-standing commitment to supporting children with cancer and has observed many young patients awaiting donations. This led to their partnership with Tzu Chi to promote donor registration, with the aim of expanding the database through more large-scale collaborations and increasing the chances of survival for children in need.

Dispelling Misconceptions

Many attendees, while enjoying the pet-friendly zone's opening, paused at the Tzu Chi booth to inquire about the registration process. Ms. Yang, one of the individuals who registered, shared her previous apprehension. "I used to think bone marrow donation involved directly extracting bone marrow, which sounded very painful, so I never considered it," she explained. "It wasn't until recently, through Tzu Chi's awareness campaign, that I learned registration only requires a 10ml blood draw. It's quick and painless." Reassured by this new understanding, she confidently signed up and expressed her hope that more people would follow suit, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful match for waiting patients.

Ms. Yang, who came to register for blood sampling, said she recently learned through Tzu Chi's promotion that registration is convenient and is not painful at all. | Photo: Taoyuan City Government

The Tzu Chi Stem Cell Center emphasizes that hematopoietic stem cell donation is a race against time. The more people who register, the greater the hope for patients' survival. By integrating this vital initiative with a local event like the Rakuten Pet-Friendly Zone, the campaign not only promoted a unique community culture but also effectively raised public awareness about the critical importance of hematopoietic stem cell donation. This collaborative effort shows a shared commitment to safeguarding lives and encourages broader societal participation in this life-saving cause.

Outside Taoyuan City's Rakuten Baseball Stadium, the Taoyuan Lions Club invited Tzu Chi volunteers to set up a booth for hematopoietic stem cell blood sampling and registration. | Photo: Taoyuan City Government

Written by Yi-Ting Wang (王藝婷)

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 獅子會攜手慈濟號召驗血建檔 樂天球場愛心點亮生命希望