«On the edge of possible». Artem Aliskerov, ambassador of donation in Russia, set a world record.

The unique marathon «I am a bone marrow donor» was held in Moscow from 1 to 10 July. In 10 days, Artem Aliskerov ran 633 kilometers, setting a world record. The project «On the edge of possible» for the promotion of donation was supported by the MAER group.

The project «On the edge of possible», implemented with the support of FMBA Russia, is aimed at popularizing bone marrow donation and replenishment of the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow Donors. Its operator is the Federal Medical-Biological Agency. The main task of the marathon is to raise public awareness on bone marrow donation and expand the Federal Registry.

None of us are safe from cancer. It can happen to everyone. It is always good to have a donor. Even better when YOU can save someone’s life. However, the phrase "bone marrow" scares and repels many. I am not an exception. Until I was diagnosed, I thought so. But leukemia is curable! Our main mission is to dispel the myth and tell people that becoming a donor is easy. It’s a very simple manipulation - just three milliliters of blood or an epithelial sample at the initial stage. It’s painless and safe. In case you are called, you realize that you can save life », - told ambassador of bone marrow donation of FMBA Russia Artem Aliskerov.

Artem has covered two marathon distances every day on Vorobyovy Gory. At 6 am and at 4 pm everyone could join him. The residents of Moscow could learn about the marathon from large digital screens - videos shot at a distance were broadcasted by the communication partner - MAER group.

«Artem Aliskerov is a courageous man. Faced with a serious disease, he found the strength to overcome it and dedicated life to the important cause - encourage people to become donors of bone marrow. In support of the project «On the edge of possible» MAER group has launched an information campaign. It tells through media all over the country that becoming a bone marrow donor is simple and not scary. During the week, videos about Artem will see more than 4 million people. In order for each recipient to find their donor, the Federal Registry should have as many volunteers as possible. Even if a few percent of those who see this on the screens decide to join the register, we can give a chance to save the lives of many patients in Russia who are waiting for bone marrow», - said the owner and general manager of media group MAER Konstantin Mayor.

In the past, Artem Aliskerov professionally played football, then disease and 31 courses of chemo. He battled blood cancer in 2021. His family is supporting him at the marathon - sister and mother.

“He is oxygen for us. We love him very much. Now, with the support of FMBA Russia he is doing such a good thing. He woke the whole country. It is worth it. Artem said he would try to make sure that we have a lot more donors in the country. We have such a huge country and such a great potential for the development of the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow Donors!” - says Artem’s mother Nadezhda Kravchuk.

During all days of the marathon, FMBA Russia staff answered questions about donating at the starting point of the race. It was possible to join the Federal Register of Bone Marrow Donors immediately, and the MAER group staff took advantage of it.

FMBA Russia for more than 15 years has been organizing the activities of the Blood Service, monitoring the safety of blood donation and its components, maintaining the blood donation database, as well as promoting donation and healthy lifestyle. Having a lot of experience and competences, FMBA Russia became the operator of the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow Donors. Since 2024, the Agency has been searching for donors in foreign registries for all citizens undergoing treatment at clinics of the country, from the federal budget. Today, the number of potential donors in the Federal Registry has already exceeded 390,000. The more donors in the registry, the better chance of helping all patients who need a bone marrow transplant.

Every potential donor of bone marrow receives a memory badge with the symbol of the Federal Register - a reminder that someone may need your help.

There is so-called «donor fitness» all summer in the large parks of Moscow on Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00. It involves qualified coaches as well as leaders of Moscow public opinion. Details can be found on the website of the project «At the edge of possible».