Race Against Time: Madlenka Needs Life-Saving Bone Marrow Transplant

The country has been shaken this past week by the heartbreaking story of Madlenka, a two-year-old girl fighting for her life.

She has been diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare condition in which her body has stopped producing white and red blood cells, as well as platelets—leaving her immune system critically compromised.

Her only hope of survival is a bone marrow transplant, but time is running out. Doctors have just six weeks to find a suitable donor.

The urgency of her case has sparked a nationwide response. The National Bone Marrow Donor Registry, in partnership with the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), has reported an unprecedented surge in registrations.

According to CNN Prima News, Madlenka’s plight has deeply moved the Czech public, prompting a wave of support.

Over the weekend, hundreds of people queued outside IKEM in Prague, hoping to be the match that could save her life. On Friday and Saturday alone, 730 new donors registered. By Sunday, another 400 had signed up.

Martina Koláčná, a spokesperson for the registry, said interest remains high, and additional recruitment events are being planned.

Donors can continue registering at IKEM from Wednesday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Meanwhile, other hospitals across the country have joined the effort.

In Vsetín, a registration event will take place on Thursday, March 27, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to hospital spokeswoman Lenka Plačková. Similar opportunities are available in Jihlava (Tuesdays), Bohumín (Wednesdays), and Olomouc (Thursdays).

Could you be the match?

Joining the bone marrow donor registry is a simple yet life-changing act. Potential donors must:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old (in IKEM till 40 years old)
• Weigh over 50 kg
• Be in good health, with no history of serious illness
• Not taking regular medication (except contraception)
• Be willing to donate bone marrow or blood cells if matched with a patient

For many, it’s a small commitment—but for Madlenka, it could mean everything.

More information

https://registr.kostnidren.cz/en/register-places/

https://www.darujzivot.cz/how-to-register