Heidenheim: 455 new stem cell donors registered in Dinkçi initiative

455 people have registered as new stem cell donors at the Bundesliga match between Heidenheim and St Pauli, Heidenheim said.

Heidenheim had called for donors in connection with the leukaemia diagnosis of their loan player Eren Dinkçi's partner, Cinja.

"455 new registrations mean 455 new chances at life,” Heidenheim said, speaking of "a full success."

People could register around Saturday's game, after Dinkçi's parent club Freiburg had done the same around their match against Heidenheim a week earlier.

There was no suitable donor for Cinja after her diagnosis in January within the family which prompted going public together with the two clubs and the German Bone Marrow Donor Registry (DKMS) to help her and others suffering from the illness.

Finding a stem cell donor is a last chance for many people suffering from leukaemia to survive the illness.

“Numerous FCH fans, visiting fans of St Pauli and many other visitors took part, supported the initiative or made additional donations to the DKMS,” Heidenheim said, adding that people without a match ticket had also registered.

The match was emotional as Dinkçi scored for the final 2-0 result and dedicated the goal to Cinja.

"The goal is for her, that's clear. And I hope she was happy and that the goal gives her a little bit of strength," Dinkçi said.

Looking at himself, he said: "Of course such a goal gives strength."