Bone marrow donor drive launched
The South African Bone Marrow Registry is appealing to the public to help them reach their goal of R100 000 to help with finding recipients the perfect match for bone marrow transplants
THE South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) recently launched their ‘give a little, save a life’ campaign.
According to the SABMR – the only bone marrow registry in South Africa – every year many South Africans are diagnosed with a curable blood disease, but don’t have access to a bone marrow donor.
Highlighting the life-changing effects of receiving a bone marrow transplant, Taahirah Msomi was given a second chance at life.
At just 13 years of age, Msomi was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia (AML) – a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterised by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells.
‘The doctors informed me that my only chance of survival was to receive a bone marrow transplant.’
Msomi’s younger siblings were tested but none were found to be a suitable match. The SABMR was then contacted to conduct a search to find an unrelated donor while Msomi was kept alive by undergoing regular blood transfusions.
One year later, the SABMR team managed to find a suitable match in Washington DC, USA.
‘I was very afraid to undergo the bone marrow transplant as there are many side effects, and the doctors informed me I would only have a 50 percent chance of survival.
‘Thankfully, my body did not reject my donor’s bone marrow.’
Now, at 16, Msomi is on the road to recovery and is looking forward to going back to school in the near future.
‘Although I am not 100 percent better, I feel much healthier and it is thanks to God and the SABMR team that I am alive today,’ she said.
Finding the perfect match
SABMR Medical Director, Dr Charlotte Ingram, said that in the majority of cases a patient diagnosed with a blood cancer only has a one in 100 000 chance of finding the perfect match.
‘We appeal to the public to be one of 1 000 people who will assist us in reaching our goal of raising R100 000 by making a once-off donation of R100.
‘Those who donate R500 or more, will be entered into a competition to stand a chance of winning a host of prizes.
‘You can make a donation by visiting the donations page on our website www.sabmr.co.za/donate or via EFT.
Please use your name and the word life (ie: NameLife) as your reference.’
The SABMR banking details are as follows:
Bank: First National Bank
Account: South African Bone Marrow Registry
Account Number: 50140033031
Branch: Mowbray
Branch code: 200309
