DKMS Africa is working to build up a diverse register for stem-cell donors in South Africa – Of all the swab kits sent out this year, only 61% have been returned; they are encouraging outstanding swab kits to be returned.
South Africa (14 November 2023) – If you registered to be a potential stem-cell donor with DKMS Africa this year, but have not yet sent your swab kit back, now is the time. Of all the swab kits sent out this year, only 61% have been returned. Returning yours could be the step needed to save a life.
“ONLY 61% of the swab kits we sent out this year have been returned. This means that a significant number of swab kits are still out there, waiting to find their way back to us.
Please, send us a direct message with your full name and contact number, and our dedicated Donor Recruitment Team will coordinate the collection process.
It’s never too late to help save a life!”
DKMS Africa, formally known as The Sunflower Fund, aims to build a strong donor base in South Africa. DKMS has a footprint in India, Germany, the USA, Poland, UK, Chile and South Africa. In its three-decade existence, the organisation has registered more than 10.7 million donors and has one of the most diverse donor pools in the world.
If you have not registered, you can find out more below.
How to register
DKMS has registered over 10.5 million donors globally and facilitated more than 91,000 transplants; this means 91,000-second chances of life for patients suffering from a life-threatening blood disorder.
Having more donors improves the chances that a patient will be able to find their match. Getting more people to register means correcting longstanding misconceptions about what it means to be a bone marrow donor. Being a donor is not as painful, invasive or permanent as many people believe.
If you are between the ages of 18 – 55 and in general good health, request a swab kit at dkms-africa.org. It starts with a swab, and it ends with saving a life!
There are other ways to support blood cancer and blood disorder patients if you are not eligible to donate blood stem cells. You can help DKMS Africa spread awareness, host donor drives, contribute financially and order and distribute swab kits to your network. You can find out more here.
by 