The 10,000-benefactor mark was reached in the second quarter of 2024. The benefactor programme was introduced in 2020 and has been continuously refined since then. Five years after the launch, it is clear that the model enjoys widespread support.

A large percentage of the benefactor agreements come about through direct appeals to people who are registered, an approach which has proven particularly effective. The recruitment of benefactors outside of this context is more challenging, as those potential benefactors must first be familiarised with the registry and blood stem cell donation. Measures aimed at creating a wider awareness for this purpose are being tested and gradually introduced.

Up to CHF 10,000 of uncovered costs incurred by a benefactor in connection with a blood stem cell transplant procedure can be covered. This immediate aid was issued once in 2024, the third such pay-out since the benefactor benefit was introduced in 2020. The support was provided in connection with a medically justified transplant procedure and in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions. This latest disbursement underscores the relevance of the programme for affected benefactors who are in a particularly stressful situation.

The first “Basel gegen Leukämie” (Basel against leukemia) registration drive, held in 2009, was inspired by a personal connection to someone who suffered from a life-threatening illness. Muttenzerkurve is the umbrella organisation for fan clubs of the football team FC Basel. The organisation used its network to raise awareness of blood stem cell donation among FCB fans and get them to join the registry. That first drive resulted in the tissue typing of 230 people, a national record that stood until 2017, when Muttenzerkurve second drive resulted in 379 new registrations.

On 18 October 2025, the third tissue typing drive was held at the team’s stadium before the FC Basel–FC Winterthur match, in cooperation with Swiss Transfusion SRC. Muttenzerkurve organised the event and promoted it via its own channels, using a promotional video it produced. FC Basel also promoted the initiative over its social media channels. The campaign resulted in a total of almost 300 new registrations.

Along with the tissue typing samples, the FCB fans collected a considerable amount in the form of monetary donations by way of Plattformbar, the informal meeting place at the stadium for supporters. This money will be used to grow the registry and support future projects. The campaign is an example of how collective engagement can make a concrete contribution to the healing of people suffering from a life-threatening disease.

An important step in the development of digital fundraising activities was taken through the relaunch of the donation platform inspirenow.ch. The platform makes it easier for individuals to carry out donation drives.

There was a deliberate decision to use a personal story for the relaunch: Raphael Marchon, who has a blood stem cell transplant to thank for his chance to get his life back and return to the ambitious endurance sports he loves, shared his story for the platform’s restart. As a transplant recipient, he supports Swiss Transfusion SRC, acting as an ambassador and telling his story.

Raphael Marchon told his friends and acquaintances about the donation drive, making a substantial contribution towards the successful launch. Even without an advertising budget, the drive led to the collection of CHF 2,435. This testifies to the potential that lies in the combination of personal experiences and activism.

The active growth of the blood stem cell registry can continue thanks to private sector donations and the effective support of lottery funds and foundations.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to all our supporters for their generous support.