Russia Wraps Up First Stage of the "Flame of Life" Nationwide Torch Relay

The first stage of the large-scale All-Russian torch relay "Flame of Life," launched by the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) of Russia in collaboration with the Impact Charitable Foundation and the Flame of Life Social Initiatives Support Foundation, has come to a close.

Stretching from west to east, from Maykop to Anadyr, the relay covered the entire country. It united over 50 cities with one common goal, to attract new donors to the Federal Register of Bone Marrow Donors (FRBMD) and increase the chances of saving patients with leukemia and other serious illnesses. Each city hosted vibrant donor events and campaigns, informative lectures, and the ceremonial passing of the torch.

Thanks to the joint efforts of FMBA medical institutions, the Blood Service, regional authorities, teams from the Impact Charitable Foundation and the Flame of Life Foundation, more than 84,000 people participated in the first stage of the relay, and over 50,000 blood donations were made. The events were supported by medical volunteers and the Russian Red Cross.

During the relay, several regions stood out as leaders in attracting potential bone marrow donors: the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Chechen Republic, Republic of Dagestan, Perm Krai, Republic of Bashkortostan, Orenburg Region, Omsk Region, and Kemerovo Region.

“At present, the Federal Register of Bone Marrow Donors includes more than 478,000 individuals. During the first stage of the All-Russian Torch Relay 'Flame of Life,' the register grew by 8,100 potential donors. Every new person who joins the registry offers hope for recovery to patients battling severe illnesses. It’s incredibly valuable when such campaigns bring together social institutions and compassionate people,” said Olga Eichler, Head of the FMBA Blood Service and Emergency Medicine Department.

“The 'Flame of Life' relay is becoming a true movement of support and hope for thousands of people waiting for a donor. The first stage showed that the message of donation and mutual help is resonating more deeply with Russians. For example, during the relay event in Ufa alone, 287 people joined the bone marrow donor registry in just a few hours - setting a new record that surpassed the previous one from September 2024, when 226 donors joined the registry in a single day during a 'Flame of Life' charity run. Behind every number is a chance to save a life. We are grateful to everyone who takes that step,” stated Aleksei Garber, President of the Flame of Life Social Initiatives Support Foundation.

In each city, the torch was received by representatives of local authorities, healthcare workers, military personnel, Olympic champions, artists, volunteers - and, of course, honored blood donors and bone marrow donors. By becoming torchbearers, they supported this noble initiative with their personal example, inspiring thousands to join the donor movement.

“This year, our goal was to showcase the beauty and unique culture of every region of Russia. Each city hosted programs reflecting its national heritage - music, dances, costumes, and language. We are all different, yet united by our love for our homeland. This love is also expressed through a culture of mutual aid. In addition to bone marrow donation campaigns, blood donation drives were also held as part of the relay,” shared Artem Aliskerov, Flame of Life ambassador and a survivor of 31 courses of chemotherapy.

The most active blood and blood component donors came from Stavropol Krai, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Irkutsk Region. In each of these regions, over 2,000 blood donations were made during the relay. These achievements were made possible through the effective work of the Blood Service institutions, strong social responsibility, and active participation from local residents.

The relay will continue to unite compassionate people: its final stage will begin in Ryazan in September, and it will conclude on November 4 in Moscow, with the participation of the FMBA Blood Center.

Every new region is a step toward a greater goal - making bone marrow donation a conscious choice for thousands of people ready to give someone a future, a second chance at life. Join the national donor movement - don’t stay indifferent!