World Blood Cancer Month

World Blood Cancer Day, observed every year on 28 May, is a global initiative to raise awareness for blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and blood disorders such as aplastic anaemia and sickle cell disease. In South Africa, someone is diagnosed every hour, and for many, a stem cell transplant is their only chance of survival. Unfortunately, around 70% of patients don’t have a matching donor in their family, relying on strangers to step forward. This day encourages people to join the global stem cell registry, which only takes a simple cheek swab; no needles, no blood. By registering, you could be the lifesaving match a patient urgently needs.

Lee-Ann is a 24-year-old mother with a gift for singing, but in 2024, her world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. With her 6-year-old daughter being her greatest motivation, Lee-Ann's only hope is finding a matching stem cell donor. That donor could be you.

Nine-year-old Thandolwethu from Ulundi loves soccer but was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in December 2024. After fatigue and lumps appeared, his life changed. Now, under chemotherapy and hospital stays, his only hope is finding a matching stem cell donor to survive.

How to take action this World Blood Cancer Month:

If you're between 17–55 years old, in good health, and living in South Africa, you could be a match for someone in need. The process is free and easy.

• Register online and we’ll deliver your swab kit using courier
• Swab your cheeks, the courier will collect.
• You're added to the stem cell registry as a potential donor in waiting!

Unable to register due to health? You can still help!

Even if you can’t register, you can still make a big impact:

• Spread the Word – Raise awareness about stem cell donation and encourage others to sign up. The more people who join the registry, the more lives we can save.
• Share your own #WorldBloodCancerDay content and tag @dkms_africa and use our official campaign hashtags: #WorldBloodCancerDay #DKMSAfrica #LifeSavingBag