# Asen: from a 20% chance of survival to medals in badminton

> Source: https://decaohz.org/en/news/asen-bnt.html
> The story of Asen — a participant and medallist at the Balkan Games — closed BNT’s “Po sveta i u nas” news bulletin.

4 October 2026

The 4 October edition of the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) news bulletin “Po sveta i u nas” (“Around the World and at Home”) ended with the inspiring story of Asen — a participant and medallist at the Balkan Games for children who have overcome an oncohaematological disease. A story about the power of faith and will.

Days before turning 14, Asen heard the diagnosis: lymphoblastic leukaemia. After four gruelling courses of chemotherapy, the illness came back even more aggressive. His only chance was a stem cell transplant in Germany, and the doctors gave him a mere 20% chance of survival.

Eleven years later, Asen is a law student and an accomplished athlete. In June he won a silver and a bronze medal in badminton at the European Championships for transplant athletes in the Netherlands. And he has turned his ordeal into a cause — he gives hope to the children who are facing the illness now.

> They are little winners who still have a great deal to show in their lives. — Asen on the children from the Balkan Games, speaking to BNT

## In the media

- [BNT](https://bntnews.bg/news/srebaren-i-bronzov-medal-po-badminton-za-transplantirani-za-patya-borbata-vyarata-i-pobedata-na-asen-nad-bolestta-1415355news.html)

## On Facebook

- [5 October 2026](https://www.facebook.com/decaohz.org/posts/pfbid0fYWjtxwN3wD3ZXLwrYVnSAKvL72byPJGhoxCc4s8GvuaczngXKddohHDe6GnNb3wl)

[← All news](https://decaohz.org/en/news.html) [Support the cause](https://decaohz.org/en/how-to-help.html)