29.10.2026 14:09
Ahmet Cemal Müftüoğlugil, 18, who was receiving leukemia treatment in Ankara and had to postpone his education at Harvard University because 2 donors withdrew from stem cell donation, underwent a bone marrow transplant from a new donor found through the Turkish Stem Cell Coordination Center (TÜRKÖK). Müftüoğlugil, who was seen off from the transplant unit with orange balloons, said, “There are no longer any obstacles in front of my dreams.”
Ahmet Cemal Müftüoğlugil, a leukemia patient who received a full scholarship acceptance from Harvard University, took an important step toward recovery after a new donor search that lasted about 1 month. The young man, who left the transplant unit, announced that he will start school at Harvard in the new academic year.
RED DOTS ON HIS LEG
Müftüoğlugil, a student at Istanbul Kabataş High School for Boys, was diagnosed with leukemia on February 13 at the hospital where he applied after noticing small red dots on his leg. Müftüoğlugil, who was placed under treatment at LÖSANTE Hospital in Ankara, owned by the Foundation for Children with Leukemia (LÖSEV), completed high school without interrupting his education. During this process, he received a full scholarship acceptance from Harvard University in the United States (USA).
2 DONORS WITHDREW FROM DONATING
After chemotherapy treatment, Müftüoğlugil became ready for a bone marrow transplant in June. In the screenings, 2 fully matched donors were found. However, both donors withdrew from donating. Müftüoğlugil, who experienced great devastation, had to postpone his dream of going to the USA for a biology education.
After LÖSEV’s call, a new donor was found about 1 month later through TÜRKÖK. Müftüoğlugil underwent a bone marrow transplant on October 8.
“HARVARD IS YOURS, THE PRIDE IS OURS”
As Müftüoğlugil left the transplant unit yesterday, he was met with a surprise welcome. More than 60 young people from about 20 cities who had been treated and recovered at LÖSEV, healthcare workers, friends, and his family welcomed Müftüoğlugil with orange balloons. At the welcome, banners reading “Harvard is yours, the pride is ours,” “Game over cancer, level passed,” and “Hopes that sprouted with stem cells are now blooming” were unfurled.
Müftüoğlugil left the transplant unit together with his friend Celal Karadağ (19), a leukemia patient who had received a stem cell transplant from his father. His friends shared in the happiness by singing Rafet El Roman’s song “Adventure-Filled America.” Then orange balloons were released into the sky in the hospital garden.
“THERE IS NO LONGER ANY OBSTACLE BEFORE MY DREAMS”
Speaking to DHA, Müftüoğlugil explained that he was very upset when the donors withdrew but did not lose hope. Müftüoğlugil said, “We had made a call during that process. As a result of our call, a sensitive citizen donated to TÜRKÖK. Thanks to this, I had the chance to undergo a transplant. (...) I feel much, much better. There are no longer any obstacles before my dreams. I feel very lucky that I will be able to continue my education next year.”
Thanking the doctors, nurses, LÖSEV, and all TÜRKÖK donors, Müftüoğlugil said, “I felt their support strongly behind me throughout this process. That is why I feel very grateful to all of them.”
“I WANT TO RETURN TO MY COUNTRY AFTER HARVARD”
Stating that he is in contact with Harvard, Müftüoğlugil said that after completing the check-up process, he will start his education next August. Müftüoğlugil, who stated that he wants to continue his work for leukemia awareness at Harvard, said, “I am going to study biology. Therefore, I want to continue biological research, contribute to science in this field, and contribute to people. And of course, after completing my education, I want to return to my country and continue my work here.”
MANY PEOPLE BECAME DONORS AFTER THE CALL
Mother Aysun Müftüoğlugil also stated that after the call, many people became donors, and said, “Thanks to the news in the media, we reached many people and new donors emerged. One of these new donors was compatible with Cemal. (...) The uncertainty is now over. Harvard was Cemal’s dream. He put in a lot of effort. Now, God willing, when he regains his health, he will continue his education there in the next academic year.”