Are you a match for young Neli?

NELI Mthembu is like any other exuberant, loving five-year-old little girl, she loves swimming and showing off her newly acquired dancing skills. In January last year, Neli’s parents, Sipho and Hazel Mthembu were dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

Her parents were in shock at first not quite believing that this was happening to their family. Neli had not been well with loss of appetite, aching bones, loss of weight and continual high temperatures between 39 to 40 degrees. At first the doctors thought she had tonsillitis, she was then diagnosed with TB and had just started treatment when more blood tests were done. The results came back and confirmed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

Neli then started extensive chemotherapy treatment. When she lost her hair, her mom Hazel shaved off her own hair in support.

“It was a difficult adjustment for Neli as she is naturally a very affectionate and loving little girl who adores physical contact, hugging and kissing everyone. She had to be told that she couldn’t do this any longer due to the high risk of infection with potentially fatal results. This was very difficult for her and made her feel very isolated and alone without human contact,” said Hazel.

Although Neli is responding well to treatment at Capital Haematology Hospital and is currently in remission, unfortunately her doctor has confirmed that she will need to undergo a life-saving bone marrow stem cell transplant. Neither of Neli’s older sisters, Thenjiwe and Mandisi, have positively matched as a potential donor for her, so she is looking for an unrelated match. The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is currently being searched for a possible donor match.

“Ethnicity plays a significant role when searching for a match and The Sunflower Fund would like to encourage the community to come forward to become donors. You could be Neli's or another patients only chance of survival. A donor match can only be found within your own ethnic group and the chances of a match is 1 in 100 000. Finding a matching donor depends on tissue type and because people’s genetic makeup is so varied and their tissue types are inherited characteristics, the chance of finding a suitable match is challenging,” said Mandy Bergsma from The Sunflower Fund.

Sipho and Hazel appeal to all to join the South African Bone Marrow Registry by contacting the Sunflower Fund on 0800 12 10 82. All potential donors must be committed to help anyone, be between 18 and 45 years of age, weigh over 50kgs with a BMI<40 and in general good health. Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za for more information.Should you wish to sponsor a Donor Drive or create awareness, contact Mandy Bergsma, on 031 266 1148, mandy@sunflowerfund.org.za