Over 100 000 South Africans join stem cell donor registry to fight blood cancer

Daily News Reporter|Published 4 months ago

Akhona Ntotho, a journalism student from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology became the 100 000th potential lifesaver when she registered to become a blood stem cell donor at a donor drive that was hosted by stem cell donor registry, German Bone Marrow Donor Center - DKMS Africa. | Supplied

Durban — In just three years, over 100 000 South Africans have answered the call for more stem cell donors to join the local registry and potentially save the lives of those battling blood cancer and blood disorders.

This growth has significantly expanded the donor pool in both size and diversity, now comprising 8% Asian, 9% Coloured, 38% Black, and 45% White donors. As a result, the likelihood of matching donors with patients in need has improved, with each new donor enhancing the odds of finding a match, which currently stands at 1 in 100,000.

“Reaching the 100,000-donor mark is a major victory in our mission to delete blood cancer,” says Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa.

“These selfless South Africans prove that generosity, compassion, and kindness are in our blood,” Mokomele added.

Mokomele attributes the rapid growth of the registry to key factors including strong community support, educational initiatives aimed at dispelling myths about blood cancer and stem cell transplants, strategic partnerships, and targeted recruitment efforts to diversify the donor base.

One inspired donor is Thandi (only wanted to be known as Thandi in the media), a social worker and mother whose decision to register was prompted by the acute shortage of Black stem cell donors and the cancer diagnosis of her close family friend’s granddaughter. After registering, she received the call that she was a match for a patient in need.

Akhona Ntotho, a journalism student from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology became the 100 000th potential lifesaver when she registered to become a blood stem cell donor at a donor drive that was hosted by stem cell donor registry, German Bone Marrow Donor Center - DKMS Africa. | Supplied

Reflecting on her life-changing experience, Thandi said, “If all it takes is two needles once a day over five days to alleviate someone's suffering from cancer, it's a small sacrifice to make. We all have the potential to be superheroes- even without a cape. As much as the bigger picture is to improve someone else’s life, I have gained so much from the process.”

Illustrating the vital role donors play in offering second chances at life, Mokomele shared the organisation’s most recent success story, that of Maddalena, affectionately known as Maddie.

Mokomele said that at just three months old, Maddie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, in November 2021.

Mokomele said that after a course of chemotherapy, Maddie entered remission but unfortunately relapsed in June 2023. Maddie’s best chance for survival lay in a stem cell transplant from a matching donor which became a reality earlier this year.

“Since her transplant, her health has been steadily improving, allowing her to experience the joys of growing up. We hope to recruit an additional 100,000 donors to our registry in the coming years so that more patients like Maddie receive the lifeline they need,” notes Mokomele.

“However, one of the biggest hurdles is donor attrition, which delays the matching process for patients requiring life-saving transplants and adversely affects their chances of survival. It is crucial that donors understand the commitment involved and how it can significantly impact saving a life. Ensuring the availability of donors is a challenge we are dedicated to addressing,” Mokomele said.

Mokomele urged more South African superheroes to help them reach their next milestone and to remain dedicated to the cause so that every patient has a fighting chance at life.

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