The Russian Red Cross (RRC) focuses on two key areas in supporting people with cancer: contributing to the Federal Bone Marrow Donor Registry and developing psychological support programs for patients. Together, these initiatives support individuals at different stages of their journey, fr om helping them accept their diagnosis and regain inner strength to providing a chance at life-saving treatment.
A key priority for the RRC is contributing to the Federal Bone Marrow Donor Registry. For many patients with blood disorders, a bone marrow transplant remains the only chance for recovery. However, finding a compatible donor is a complex and often time-consuming process, as genetic matches are extremely rare. Expanding the pool of potential donors therefore directly increases the chances of saving lives.
In July 2025, the RRC launched a simplified enrollment program for the Federal Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia (RosNIIGT FMBA). Thanks to this initiative, more than 1,000 people have already joined the Federal Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The program has made enrollment straightforward and accessible: to register, individuals simply complete the required forms and take a quick buccal swab (a sample from the inside of the cheek) using a sterile swab. The samples are sent to the RosNIIGT FMBA, wh ere typing is carried out within two to four weeks. The results are then entered into the Federal Registry.
It is important to note that the Russian Red Cross had been engaged in recruiting bone marrow donors prior to the launch of this initiative. At RRC donor drives, participants could provide blood samples for HLA typing to join the Federal Registry. The new format has made this pathway even clearer and more accessible to a broader audience.
However, cancer is not only about tests and procedures — it is also about fear, uncertainty, and questions that are not always easy to answer. People are not always ready to share these feelings with their loved ones, and complex medical terminology and treatment plans can sometimes deepen anxiety. In moments like these, a conversation with someone who has faced a similar journey and can respond with simple, honest, and compassionate words can make all the difference.
In the Republic of Mari El, the RRC regional branch has opened a peer counseling office at the Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary. This space offers support to people diagnosed with cancer from those who have experienced the illness themselves and understand the journey from within. Peer counselors combine personal experience with professional training in peer support methods.
The office operates three times a week, and a dedicated hotline is available for patients and their families. In 2025, over 340 peer counseling sessions were conducted. Since November last year, the team has also begun holding outreach meetings in districts across the republic, making support more accessible to residents of smaller communities. Sessions have already taken place in Paranga and Zvenigovo, with visits to the Mari-Tureksky and Volzhsky districts planned next.
Today, a cancer diagnosis is no longer a sentence. Even at advanced stages, modern medicine makes it possible to preserve quality of life and extend survival. Compassion, support, and personal commitment, whether through joining the bone marrow donor registry or simply being there to listen and offer encouragement, become part of a shared effort to confront the disease.
