In Izmir, 12-year-old Ceylan Polat, who has been battling thalassemia major—the most severe form of Mediterranean anemia—has clung to life thanks to a 100% compatible bone marrow transplant provided through the Turkish Stem Cell Coordination Center (TÜRKÖK). As Ceylan's health deteriorated, an urgent call for a stem cell transplant was made, and a matching bone marrow donor was found. Following the transplant, Ceylan recovered her health and her pain ended.
Ceylan Polat, a 12-year-old from Izmir suffering from thalassemia major—the most severe type of Mediterranean anemia—has held onto life after receiving a 100% compatible bone marrow transplant arranged through the Turkish Stem Cell Coordination Center (TÜRKÖK).
Ceylan, the first child of Orhan and Seyran Polat from the Buca district, was diagnosed with thalassemia major at just three months old during a visit to Ege University Hospital.
After staying in the hospital for a period, Ceylan continued receiving treatment for years through regular blood transfusions and medications.
When her health worsened last year, the family sought help at a private hospital in Istanbul. Following the recommendation of pediatric hematology expert Prof. Dr. Barış Malbora, an urgent stem cell transplant was deemed necessary. After compatible bone marrow could not be found among family members and relatives, an application was submitted to TÜRKÖK six months ago.
The matching bone marrow that would bring a smile to Ceylan’s face was found abroad. Following the transplant performed at Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Yeni Yüzyıl University, young Ceylan regained her health.
Tests confirmed that the transplanted bone marrow achieved 100% compatibility with Ceylan.
Speaking to an AA reporter, Ceylan Polat said she had been receiving regular blood transfusions since early childhood due to her illness, which caused her great pain.
She said she was overjoyed when she learned a compatible bone marrow had been found: "I couldn't sleep that night. I was extremely excited when I went to the hospital. I was very sad when I had to be separated from my family, but once the transplant was done and we reunited, I felt incredibly happy. I felt lucky because I knew I would get better."
Polat shared that her pains had completely disappeared after the bone marrow transplant and that she felt like she had been reborn.
Emphasizing that she never lost hope while waiting for the bone marrow, Polat said: "People should donate their bone marrow. Patients like me want to recover, be healthy, run, and have fun. Others like me should believe that they can heal too, because children fighting this disease want nothing more than to be healthy, to run and play."
"I Still Feel Like I'm Dreaming"
Mother Seyran Polat recalled that Prof. Dr. Barış Malbora had been by their side throughout her daughter’s recovery process.
She explained that they had faced occasional difficulties during treatment due to shortages in blood donations: "Blood donors save not only our children but also families like us. These transplant operations truly transform lives. I still feel like I'm dreaming," she said.
Polat added that she now spends plenty of quality time with her daughter at home and that those difficult days are finally behind them.
Prof. Dr. Malbora reminded that bone marrow transplantation remains the only curative treatment for thalassemia major.
He shared that Ceylan had successfully recovered after the operation: "We discharged her after the transplant. Ceylan no longer needs medication or blood transfusions. She has started living her life just like any other healthy child. Worldwide, there are approximately 42.5 million stem cell donors, nearly 1 million of whom are registered with TÜRKÖK. TÜRKÖK has greatly facilitated the process of finding suitable bone marrow. Nowadays, we can find compatible stem cells for 90-95% of our patients," he stated.
Source: haberler.com