Become a bone marrow donor today
SUNDOWNER – The South African Bone Marrow Registry spreads awareness and gives further information on becoming a bone marrow donor.
The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) joined the Curro Aurora and the JustOneThing365 NPO awareness day to give further information on becoming a bone marrow donor.
“Every year, thousands of people with leukaemia, other blood diseases, and immune disorders reach a point where the only possible cure, and their only chance for survival, is a bone marrow transplant. Some patients will have a compatible donor in their family, but for most they’ll need a stranger’s help; a stranger with their exact type of bone marrow tissue,” said the SABMR’s Ndinae Muligwe.
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, it has been incredibly difficult for the SABMR to engage with potential donors and spread awareness about the prevalence of bone marrow cancer.
“What we are doing is encouraging people to become bone marrow donors, and to register themselves on the registry if they wish to donate to somebody should they be a match. This is mainly since chances of getting a match if you need one are very slim,” said Muligwe.
She said that right now, the chances of getting a match for a bone marrow transplant is 1 in 100 000, but these odds will now decrease due to new regulation that allows people from the age of 16 to register.
To register on the registry, participants simply fill out a form and use one of the unique mouth swabbing kits to register their genetics on the database.
“There are no needles or anything, just a simple mouth swab that will get you onto the register if you are eligible to do so. You must be in a good health standing to be part of the register,” added Muligwe.
Several boxes containing the kits were available on the day for persons wishing to register, and kits are available for delivery for a self-swab with full instructions at home when potential donors register online.
“If you’re between the ages of 16 and 45, you’re eligible to register as a bone marrow donor. Registration is done in just a few minutes through our online platform,” concluded Muligwe.
Details: sabmr.co.za
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