Donating bone marrow can save lives

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) aims to spread awareness this month for people living with leukaemia and other blood disorders, and encourage people to donate bone marrow. 

The Bone Marrow Stem cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month is from August 15 until October 15.

Leukaemia is a type of cancer that attacks the white blood cells and the bone marrow. It can be fatal because the white blood cells help the body fight infections and diseases, according to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).

Like other types of cancer, there is no cure for leukaemia. The only other way to fight it is stem cell therapy. Stem cells help replace the cells that are cancerous or that have been destroyed by chemotherapy. They help to strengthen the body to fight against cancer and other infections.

“Every year thousands of people across South Africa with leukaemia require a stem cell transplant as their only chance of survival,” said Khensani Mahlangu, spokesperson of SANBS.

People struggle to find stem cell donations because it is not easy to find a match.

“For the overwhelming majority of patients, there is no family match available and these patients and their doctors rely on registries to find an unrelated match.

“Much as is the case for blood recipients, the lives of people with blood cancer are reliant on as many people as possible coming forward to register as donors,” said Mahlangu.

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Willem de Villiers (56) from Centurion, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in November 2020.

“I went to the doctor because I was experiencing chronic fatigue and night sweats. I had also lost a lot of weight without going on a diet. I had no idea what was wrong but realised that I am sick because none of the above is anything that I experienced before,” said De Villiers.

“Symptoms come and go with this type of leukaemia. I can go for long periods of time without having serious symptoms.”

For De Villiers, he says that his biggest challenge is trying to remain positive in spite of all of the gloom.

He believes many older people like himself struggle to find donors.

“It is because of the astronomical cost involved and the scarcity of donors that very few transplants are done for older people like myself,” he said.

The SANBS is known for providing blood but it also provides stem cells to patients in need.

“This is an amazing opportunity to save lives and give individuals second chances with their families,” said Mahlangu.

“My advice to anyone that gets diagnosed is to do your research and to get as much information as possible regarding your illness so that you can make plans to fight it,” said De Villiers.

If you wish to find out more, you can visit the South African Bone Marrow Registry as well as the SANBS website.

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