All News

Kindness is in our DNA, isegazini

We are thrilled to announce we have registered over 100 000 potential life savers. True to the South African spirit, kindness is nestled deeply in our DNA - isegazini.

Cape Town, October 11, 2024 - This milestone has been reached through combined efforts, both online and through in person registrations, to expand our reach through awareness and registration drives.

With blood cancer and blood disorders claiming the lives of more than 4 000 people each year, growing and diversifying our registry to afford all blood cancer and blood disorder patients an opportunity at a second chance at life was of outmost importance. Of these 100 000 potential lifesavers, 55% are of ethnic backgrounds. Consequently, Black, mixed ethnicity, Indian and Asian patients now also have a chance at finding a perfect match.

Word from our Country Managers, Chandre Phillipus and Erna West

This journey has been fiercely held together by the collective support and rallying of individuals and organizations across South Africa and thoroughly supported by you, our community of lifesavers in waiting. The expansion of our registry is testament to what can be achieved when a community firmly stands together to further a common purpose.

"DKMS Africa has grown in leaps and bounds, shattering barriers and surpassing expectations. We are immensely proud of this achievement, and are even more excited about the endless opportunities ahead. Furthermore, we thank donors for making this life changing commitment to saving lives”, says Chandré Phillipus.

Phillipus adds: “These 100,000 potential donors not only reflect our commitment to improving transplant outcomes for patients but also opens up a future where life-saving matches are available to more people than ever before".

“This growth reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every patient, regardless of their background, has a better chance of finding a life-saving match. By actively engaging diverse communities and raising awareness, we are breaking barriers and building a registry that truly represents the diversity of those in need. These efforts are critical as we work towards our mission of providing equitable access to stem cell transplants for all", says Erna West.

Register today at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now.

For more information, contact DKMS Africa on 0800 12 10 82.

Help us to register even more lifesavers
We’d love it if you could help us to get more people on the register so that everyone who needs a blood stem cell donor can find their match.