30 years of DLH: Emotional moments and new hope for blood cancer patients

30 years of DLH: Emotional moments and new hope for blood cancer patients

On June 23, 2025, the 28th patient congress of the Federal Association of the German Leukemia and Lymphoma Aid (DLH) took place in Cologne-Deutz. The focus of the two-day event was the exchange between patients, relatives, doctors and experts, which for many was the heart of the congress. Managing Director Stephan Schumacher opened the event with a moving greeting and emphasized the role of the DLH as an indispensable partner of the DKMS, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. In beautiful weather, around 350 participants came together to discuss the challenges and progress surrounding blood cancer.

The evening event was particularly touching, at which Rainer Göbel, the chairman of the DLH and himself an affected patient, gave moving insights into the history of the DLH's origins. The Cologne band “Kölsche Adler” provided musical entertainment during the event, which further relaxed the atmosphere. The various lectures covered exciting topics such as “30 years of hematology”, “exercise and sport in cancer” and the importance of patients in cancer research, led by the outstanding scientists Prof. Dr. Michael Hallek and Prof. Dr. Barbara Eichhorst from the Cologne University Hospital.

Stem cell donor file growth

A central concern of the DKMS is the promotion of stem cell donations, especially since over 1.2 million people worldwide develop blood cancer every year. “For many people, a stem cell transplant is the only chance of recovery,” explained Stephan Schumacher and provided information about the current developments at DKMS. In 2024, a new high was reached with 9,126 stem cell donations. However, given the impending loss of around 150,000 older donors, there is an urgent need to expand the file, especially with regard to ethnic diversity and young donors.

With only 25 percent of the people registered in the DKMS between the ages of 18 and 30 making 65 percent of all donations, the potential here is far from exhausted. The search for suitable donors is often difficult because numerous characteristics of the cells have to be taken into account. But as we all know, hope dies last: successful treatment can begin with a proper donation, even if previous chemotherapy has not worked.

Research and innovation

“The DKMS is the world’s largest stem cell donor database with over 12 million registered donors,” emphasizes Dr. Marcel van den Brink, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the DKMS Life Donation Foundation. The organization actively promotes research and conducts its own scientific studies to further develop stem cell transplants and cellular therapies. In 2025, the DKMS John Hansen Research Grant will also be awarded for the eleventh time, which serves as a springboard for young scientists.

“The grant is aimed at researchers who have a doctorate and are no older than ten years,” explains Schumacher. Such initiatives show how important continuous development in medicine is in order to offer affected patients ever better chances of healing. The DKMS Life Science Lab in Dresden is the most powerful HLA typing laboratory in the world and plays a key role in this process to increase the chances of survival for blood cancer patients.

The reality of life for many blood cancer patients remains challenging, but with the commitment and fighting spirit of organizations like DKMS and DLH, there are always rays of hope and hope for an improved future. The discussions and exchanges at the congress are only a small but essential part of the bigger picture, which has now become essential for those affected.

For more details, also visit the coverage DKMS, Journal Oncology or ZDF today.