As an excuse for missing practice, Willi Orban has a copy.
Potentially saving another person’s life.
This week, the RB Leipzig centre-back will undergo a blood stem cell donation after being found compatible with someone who has blood cancer.
Orban, a Hungarian international, will have his blood stem cells taken on Wednesday after receiving injections to boost the number of stem cells in his blood during the buildup.
“Of course I was surprised when I received the information that I was compatible,” said Orban, who has been on Germany’s national bone marrow donor registry since 2017.
“I definitely wanted to make the donation as soon as possible. I have the chance to potentially save another person’s life with very little effort.
“It was a no-brainer. I hope my donation will help the recipient recover from his illness.”
Orban has been ruled out of the squad’s training since Sunday and it’s not yet known if he will be able to play against Union Berlin on Saturday.
His club, fourth in the Bundesliga, is working with national and international anti-doping authorities to manage the process.
But as German-born Orban himself says, “football is of secondary importance” in life and he hopes many others will follow in his footsteps.
“I could of course miss the game against Union but even with my sporting ambitions, football is of secondary importance,” he said.
“Those who know me know that I will do everything I can to join the team as soon as possible.
“I hope this inspires more people to sign up. The process was really easy and I feel like I was taken care of very well. My example shows that it makes perfect sense to s ‘to inscribe.”
