The RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club turned a major sporting event into a powerful platform to raise awareness and rally to find a stem cell donor for Linemihle, a teen battling Fanconi Anaemia.
Cape Town, South Africa (15 April 2025) – After learning about a brave girl’s battle with a Fanconi Anaemia diagnosis, members of the RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club rose together as one, determined to champion 13-year-old Linemihle’s fight and ensure she receives the lifeline she so urgently requires.
The club partnered with DKMS Africa at the recent Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) to raise awareness for Linemihle’s condition and rally to find her a matching stem cell donor – her only chance at survival.
The Gugulethu-based running club made it their personal mission to call upon the broader athletics community and stakeholders present at the annual marathon to register as stem cell donors and to join the fight against blood cancer and other disorders.
“While we are rooted in Gugulethu and actively cultivating meaningful connections in the community, our channels for raising blood cancer and disorder awareness extend beyond our community as blood cancer and disorders affect all of us regardless of our social status,” said RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club Chairperson, Aubrey Shoko.
Fanconi Anaemia (FA) affects the bone marrow and many other parts of the body. It affects 1 in 160,000 people globally. For many diagnosed patients, blood stem cells are one possible form of treatment – and often the only chance of a cure.
“Athletes must rally behind patients diagnosed with blood cancer and disorders”, he continued.
With Black, Coloured, Indian, and Asian patients having a 19% chance of finding a stem cell or bone marrow match and a second chance at life, the club’s heartfelt effort emphasised the importance of having a diverse donor registry, especially because a patient is most likely to match with someone of the same ethnic group.
Acknowledging the chairperson’s sentiments, Palesa Mokomele, Head of Corporate Communications and Community, said:
“Similarly, DKMS Africa actively engages with multiple cultures in various communities. The collaboration will help us to register more diverse potential donors so that patients who need a blood stem cell donor can find their match.
“Additionally, the Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) is a well-known and well-attended athletics event thus positioned to further drive blood cancer and disorders educational and awareness initiatives on a significant scale.”
Sources: Supplied
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