Request for blood donation: Felix (3) suffers from a rare disease - now mother turns to the public

Three-year-old Felix from Bubenreuth is seriously ill and dependent on regular blood transfusions. As the University Hospital of Erlangen announced on social media, the child has been suffering from severe aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow disease, since October. This prevents the formation of vital blood components. The hospital is therefore appealing for blood donations in a moving social media post.

In an accompanying video, Felix's mother describes how drastically her family's life has changed: "Before, he was healthy. Since October, nothing has been the same."

Felix requires transfusions weekly. The supply of his blood type B is particularly difficult, says his mother. The situation can become more acute in the summer, because many regular donors are on vacation. Her urgent plea: "So please: everyone who can and is able to donate."

According to the Alliance of Chronic Rare Diseases , aplastic anemia occurs in only two to three out of every million people annually. Among other things, the disease increases the risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding because the bone marrow fails to produce new blood cells.

On its website, the German Red Cross provides information about the blood donation process and what to keep in mind. Donors also benefit: Their blood is tested for numerous infectious diseases—including hepatitis B and C , as well as HIV. A separate article also explains the differences between blood and plasma donation.