The Westville Senior Primary School is hosting a bone marrow drive to find a match for one of their brave young students; Syamthanda Nxasana is fighting her biggest battle!
Westville, South Africa (14 June 2022) – We have learned over the years that when a child is in need, the community rallies to support that child and their family. In the end, it really does take a village! The Westville community are uniting to find a bone marrow match for 10-year-old Syamthanda Nxasana.
Siya, as she is fondly referred to by friends and family, was diagnosed with Leukaemia on the 26th of December 2021. She was surrounded by family, and together, they took the first steps towards her treatment and hopeful recovery.
She has missed most of her 2022 schooling year due to being in hospital, but her school is rallying to support her in every way possible. She requires a bone marrow transplant, and as none of her relatives are a match, she has to look elsewhere. The school has set up a donor drive in the hopes of getting people to register to be bone marrow donors.
“Siya (as she is fondly known by her friends and family) is a learner of Westville Senior Primary School and most of her 2022 school year has been spent in hospital, where she has been bravely battling this disease. Siya has missed her family and friends terribly. It has been a very trying time for Siya and her family; emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and financially.
Siya has a strong fighting spirit and on days when her treatment is not weighing her down, she boldly beams with a beautiful smile of hope and determination.
After months of aggressive chemotherapy, Siya’s battle is not yet over, and there is still a lot of hope on the horizon. Siya is now at a stage in her treatment where she is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Since no familial matches were found, the search is now on for a donor. This is going to be a very costly and trying battle ahead but this procedure will give her a stronger fighting chance at beating this disease.”
Peta Mumford at Westville Senior Primary School is the force behind the drive and is also managing any funding that is sent in to help Siya’s rising medical costs. The school are standing behind her all the way!
“Like most 10-year-olds, Siya’s eyes sparkle with hopes and dreams and in her heart lies boundless potential. Siya enjoys singing and dancing and one day wants to be a doctor, a singer or a dancer. We would like to see this brave young girl achieve her dreams.”
Their Bone Marrow Drive, hosted in partnership with the SABMR (South African Bone Marrow Registry), will take place on Wednesday, 22 June, from 07:30 until 09:00 at the school.
“Due to expensive treatments this year, Siya’s medical funds have been exhausted and much needed funds will help contribute to Siya’s urgent medical costs. Anyone who wants to contribute may contact Peta Mumford at Westville Senior Primary School – peta@wsps.co.za
Anyone between the ages of 16-45 years may come through to be tested, to see if they are a bone marrow match for Siya or anyone else battling Leukaemia. This process of testing is easy and takes the form of a quick mouth swab. Please come and help us support Siya!”
Peta encourages all those involved at the school to please join them in finding Siya’s match. She shares that the testing is free, so people need only show up. To sign up as a donor, visit www.sabmr.co.za
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