Ferruh Muktar

 In March of 2018, Ferruh was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer known as myelofibrosis. The disease disrupts the body's normal production of blood cells. Myelofibrosis causes extensive scarring in your bone marrow, leading to severe anemia that can cause weakness and fatigue and can be fatal.

There are thousands of people like Ferruh across the country who need a stem cell transplant from blood. Registration is easy, generally painless and through Team Ferruh is FREE. A simple swab of your cheek is all it takes. If your DNA matches someone needing stem cells, donating is as simple as giving blood and can directly save someone’s life. 

Stem cell donors are most often matched with people with similar ethnic/geographic backgrounds. For Ferruh, that means someone whose family background is Turkish, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean. However, a match is possible from nearly anywhere - that's why it's important to get as many people as possible registered as donors. As Ferruh says, "It just takes a swab. I know the right person is out there -- I just have to find them."