Bundesliga club RB Leipzig has announced on its social media pages that the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) and the Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS) have awarded its defender, 42-time Hungarian national team player Willi Orbán, a Fair Play Prize for stem cell donation.
Willi Orbán volunteered as a stem cell donor in 2017 as part of the Leipzig club’s charity campaign and was confirmed as a suitable donor for a patient by the responsible medical organization in February.
“Of course, I was a little surprised at first when I received the information that I was a potential donor. But then it was immediately clear to me that I wanted to go straight for the donation. (…) This is the opportunity to save a human life with very little effort, there are no two opinions for me. I very much hope that my donation can help to completely heal the recipient,” explained Willi Orbán when he found out about the opportunity.
Tolle Auszeichnung für unseren Captain!
Willi #Orban wurde für seine Stammzellenspende vom @DOSB und dem Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten bei der Verleihung des Fair Play Preises 2023 mit dem “Sonderpreis“ ausgezeichnet. pic.twitter.com/VRb0oy0Pjf
— RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) February 27, 2024
The defender also missed a league match against Union Berlin due to the procedure. RB Leipzig also backed his decision to donate stem cells despite the upcoming top match. “Life-saving measures are the most important thing. Willi informed me and it was absolutely clear to me that I should not discuss the timing, but simply prepare for this day,” explained RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose.
On February 8, Willi Orbán posted from his hospital bed. He wrote that he was donating stem cells today to save someone’s life because it was the only way for that person to have a chance and hope of recovery. He added: “You too can help and spend hope with your registration – only together we are strong!“
RB Leipzig announced on Wednesday that
the 31-year-old defender was awarded the Fair Play Prize in the Special Prize category by the German Olympic Sports Federation and the Association of German Sports Journalists for his noble deed.
Via Ungarn Heute, mti.hu, mediacenter.dkms.de; Featured image via FB/RB Leipzig
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