Annual competition known as "Fire of Life" occurs in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on June 9, 2025, a significant regional initiative took place. The "Fire of Life" donor relay, the 50th checkpoint in a nationwide event, aimed to increase the bone marrow donor registry in Kamchatka Krai, a region with limited participation and public awareness about bone marrow donation.
The event, which was part of a larger nationwide campaign, highlighted the importance of donation for the region. Sergei Plotnikov, a prominent figure, emphasized its significance, while Svetlana Galyant, an eight-time world champion and honored master of sports, participated as a torchbearer.
The event was more than just a drive for donor registration. It was a platform for community engagement, particularly among youth and indigenous groups, creating a strong sense of communal solidarity around the cause. Volunteers at the event had already run several laps, with plans to run another one.
The Kamchatka Regional Blood Transfusion Station opened a recruitment center for bone marrow donors in 2022, and the donor recruitment center, located at Academician Kurchatov St., 17, continues to operate on weekdays. The ceremony in Kamchatka was opened by Victoria Sivak, deputy chairman of the regional government.
The event was successful in registering numerous new donors, substantially increasing the pool of potential bone marrow matches available within Kamchatka Krai. Following the event, the number of registered bone marrow donors in Kamchatka Krai increased by a significant percentage. This expansion means patients requiring bone marrow transplants in Kamchatka now have a better chance of finding compatible donors locally, which can reduce wait times and dependence on distant registries.
The success of the "Fire of Life" relay has inspired ongoing donor recruitment campaigns and raised the profile of hematology and transplant services in the region, contributing to better overall healthcare outreach and support systems. In fact, over 600 residents of the Kamchatka peninsula have become potential bone marrow donors due to the center's work.
Galyant expressed her joy at seeing so many people wanting to be healthy and active, and just as many wanting to help others. She considered it an honor to participate in the event and become a torchbearer, following her heart's call. The event united over 1,000 torchbearers from 100 Russian cities.
In 2024, two Kamchatka residents successfully donated stem cells, a testament to the impact of the event. A mobile medical complex was set up at the stadium for genetic research and matching compatible donors for organ and tissue transplantation. The event in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky provided an opportunity to join the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow Donors.
The event equated the words 'donor' and 'life', emphasizing the crucial role donors play in saving lives of patients with blood cancers and other serious blood disorders. The chances of finding a genetically compatible donor are low, at 1 in 10,000. However, the expanded donor base in Kamchatka Krai means patients now have a better chance of finding a match locally.
In conclusion, the "Fire of Life" donor relay was a pivotal event that not only enhanced awareness and registration of bone marrow donors in Kamchatka Krai but also strengthened the region’s capacity to provide life-saving transplants to patients in need.
- The initiative, focused on increasing bone marrow donor registration in Kamchatka Krai, has expanded into a platform promoting health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health, as demonstrated by torchbearer Svetlana Galyant, an eight-time world champion in sports.
- The event in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky extended beyond registry growth, fostering community engagement among youth and indigenous groups, and sparking interest in sports-analysis and scientific advancements in hematology and transplant services.
- As a result of the "Fire of Life" relay, research centers for genetic matching and organ and tissue transplantation arose, showcasing the fusion of bone marrow donation with sports and encouraging further exploration of health and wellness.
