30.10.2026 03:28
Celal Karadağ, 19, who was diagnosed with leukemia in Adana in 2023, relapsed last year. All three of the 100% compatible donors found for a stem cell transplant withdrew, citing health problems. Celal, who clung to life through a transplant performed on October 9 from his father Hakan Karadağ, a factory worker with 60% tissue compatibility, was discharged from the transplant unit of LÖSANTE Hospital in Ankara on October 27, greeted with orange balloons. His goal is to study medicine and become a hematology doctor.
Celal Karadağ (19), who suffered a great devastation while battling leukemia at LÖSANTE Hospital in ANKARA when 3 fully 100% compatible donors gave up donating stem cells, clung to life thanks to a stem cell transplant from his father. Celal Karadağ, who was welcomed with balloons as he left the transplant unit, said, "I am very happy. My goal is to get into medical school."
Celal Karadağ, who applied to a hospital in Adana in 2023 with complaints of weakness, fatigue, and night sweats, was diagnosed with leukemia. Karadağ, who overcame the disease with treatment at LÖSANTE Hospital, which belongs to the Leukemia Children's Foundation (LÖSEV) in Ankara, did not give up his education during this process either. Karadağ completed high school by attending the final year as a boarding student at LÖSEV College. However, on August 27 last year, the disease relapsed. This time, a stem cell process was initiated as part of the treatment. Three donor candidates found to be 100% compatible gave up donating stem cells, citing their health problems.
Meanwhile, in tests performed, the tissue compatibility of his father Hakan Karadağ, who worked as a factory worker, came out at 60%, and it was determined that he could be a donor. The transplant took place with an operation performed on October 9. On October 27, Celal Karadağ left the transplant unit together with his friend Ahmet Cemal Müftüoğlugil, who had undergone a bone marrow transplant. Celal Karadağ was welcomed with orange balloons by more than 60 recovered young people from about 20 cities who had been treated and recovered at LÖSEV, as well as healthcare workers, friends, and his family.
MY FATHER BECAME MY DONOR
Celal Karadağ explained that after his disease relapsed, the 3 donors who were found gave up donating stem cells due to their health problems, and said, "All 3 were 100% compatible. After 3 donors canceled, I refused the transplant. Because during that process, dates were being given, and donors were canceling. It exhausted me and stressed me a lot. I completely refused the whole process. When I learned that my disease had recurred, it was as if life had stopped for me. After that, my doctor contacted me again. He said that my disease was about to awaken and that I needed to have a transplant. Since I had no donor, blood was taken from my father and mother. My sister's compatibility was very low; my mother and father were half-compatible. Because of that, I received marrow from my father. My father became my donor. I am fine now. When I learned that I had a transplant from my father, I don't know how to explain it, but it was like a miracle. Because there was no donor. When it suddenly emerged that my father was the donor, I was very happy. Carrying the marrow of people I don't know is different. That is also a very different feeling, I am sure. But receiving it from my father was a very beautiful thing, a very different feeling. I am very happy."
HIS GOAL IS TO BECOME A HEMATOLOGY DOCTOR
Celal Karadağ said that he defeated the disease but that his check-ups would continue, and used the following statements: "My current goal is to get into medical school. Because, as someone who has had this disease, I want to get into a department related to cancer. The hematology department, the oncology department. Of course, my biggest goal is to become a hematology doctor at LÖSANTE. I am very, very grateful to all my doctors. Thank you very, very much. I am glad they exist. Everyone within LÖSEV has always been by my side. As a recovered young person, I will represent LÖSEV in the most beautiful way. I want to run toward my goals more and make my family prouder."
I GAVE MY CHILD A LIFE
Hakan Karadağ, on the other hand, said that he learned of his son's illness while working at the factory, and said, "Our world had collapsed on us. But Celal never accepted the disease from the first day. He was a very positive person. We had 3 donors. We had been very happy. Actually, being a donor is a very simple thing. Because we are not conscious, that is, because it does not happen to people, because they do not know what it is like, people do not know. If they knew, they could be a life, a hope, a light for everyone. Of course, the cancellation of all 3 donors devastated us. In the end, they took it from me. With 60% compatibility, I gave my boy a whole life. He was reborn. Hopefully, even more beautiful days will come. I gave my child a life. Hopefully, people will become conscious. More people will apply to hospitals for transplantation."