Viktoria Plzeň, in cooperation with its long-time partner, Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation (NTKD), introduces a unique project. Its purpose is to increase the number of potential bone marrow donors who can save someone’s life. The patronage of the entire project was provided by Rudolf Špoták, the Governor of the Pilsen region, and Roman Zarzycký, the Mayor of the city of Pilsen.

With Viktoria to the bone! That’s the name of a unique project, which main goal is to reach out to both the sports clubs and the general public within the entire Pilsen region. The project should bring two important outcomes - to bring new members to the Czech national marrow donors registry and to raise awareness of the whole issue. Viktoria wants to set an example, so all the A-team members, youth players and club staff and employees have entered or re-entered the Registry.

The entry process is very quick and painless, it only consists of a short wiping of saliva from the oral cavity and, of course, filling out the necessary form.

“Today, I became convinced it only takes a few seconds and you can boost the hope of someone, who is fighting the hardest battle of his life. It is truly a great feeling, when you can give a hope for life to someone,” said Jan Sýkora, the main figure of the “With Viktoria to the bone” project.

“It’s a nice gesture from Viktoria. We already know from the past, that every activity in this way brings us hundreds of new applicants. In addition, there’s a public talk and awareness about the bone marrow donation, which is extremely important. Education and awareness are the basic prerequisites for us to build and expand the Registry. On behalf of all the patients and the Foundation staff, I would like to thank the club for this amazing project,” stated Pavel Jindra, chairman of the NTKD board and the head of the Hematology and Oncology clinic of the Pilsen University Hospital.

As already mentioned, the “With Viktoria to the bone” project wants to activate the potential bone marrow donors in the whole Pilsen region. Therefore, Viktoria will invite 4 regional clubs to each of the following league matches (vs. Bohemians, Jablonec, Zlín, Teplice). The club will provide tickets, arrange bus transport and give away food and drink vouchers, in cooperation with the Gambrinus brewery and the Pepsi company. In addition, those over 18 will receive betting vouchers from another project partner, Betano.

The representatives of these regional clubs will follow Jan Sýkora and the others to a special tent in front of the Doosan Arena to become new Registry members. “We directly approached quite a few regional clubs, but of course we will be happy if anyone else from the general public joins them. The tent will be open for everyone and the more people will join the Registry, the happier we will get,” explained Jaromír Harouz, the club business and marketing manager.

In several cases, we will also head directly to the clubs and we will bring a mobile sample collection point. We will bring additional information about this in advance.

Thanks to the contribution of the Pilsen region Governor Rudolf Špoták and Pilsen Mayor Roman Zarzycký, we can address and reach out to the entire Pilsen region! “We will be very happy, if not only young footballers join us, but also track and field athletes or volunteer firefighters. Everybody is welcome and everybody can join the Registry,” adds Václav Hanzlík, the club spokesperson.

You can also support the whole project and the Foundation by purchasing special merchandise - T-shirts, mugs or bracelets.

WHO CAN ENTER THE REGISTRY?

Anyone of an age between 18 and 35 with good health.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Wiping the saliva from the oral cavity + filling out a form.

WHERE TO ENTER?

In a special NKTD tent in front of the Doosan Arena during the following matches against Bohemians, Jablonec, Zlín and Teplice.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

On the Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation (NTKD) website.

HOW CAN I HELP EVEN MORE?

By purchasing special products in the Viktoria shop or on the eshop.fcviktoria.cz website.

It is also possible to send a donor DMS or to contribute directly to the NTKD transparent bank account.

ARE YOU AN ORGANISED CLUB (FOOTBAL, HOCKEY…) AND DO YOU WANT TO JOIN? BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!

We will be happy to contact you and provide all the necessary support for your club to join the Registry. Contact us at: nadren@fcviktoria.cz

COOPERATION OF FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ AND NTKD

The cooperation of the two organizations has been going on for almost 10 years. In the past (in 2018), the players of the A-team joined the Registry, we arranged a unique auction of the Champions League jerseys and a special Foundation tram went around Pilsen. Every year, there was one match specifically dedicated to NTKD. In 2019, Viktoria was awarded an honorary prize for its work and for the greatest non-material aid to the Foundation. The NTKD logo is traditionally depicted on the Viktorian jerseys and worn in the international Cup matches and during the dedicated games.