A South African teen, Mioné Malan, while battling an aggressive type of leukaemia, received a life-saving miracle from the other side of the world.
Sasolburg, South Africa (16 April 2025) – We share stories about stem cell donations from time to time and if you haven’t yet taken a moment to ponder on the significance of this medical procedure, we hope Mioné Malan’s story – a teen from Sasolburg who overcame an aggressive type of leukaemia thanks to a single act of selfless generosity from across the world, will shed a little light and some inspiration.
After initially being treated for flu-like symptoms at 15, while in Grade 10, Mioné’s world was upended when blood tests confirmed she had a rare and aggressive leukaemia – Acute Biphenotypic Leukaemia.
Despite the shock and fear, Mioné faced her battle with courage and the support of her family. Her mom’s mantra, “How do you eat an elephant? “Stukkie vir stukkie,” became her motivation.
According to the South African Bone Marrow Registry, she endured five types of chemotherapy, spinal chemo, full-body radiation, and long hospital stays.
By November 2019, she was in remission, and just a month later, a perfect stem cell donor match was found all the way in Germany, thanks to a young man who had signed up as a donor. On 15 January 2020, she received her life-saving stem cell transplant, affording her a full recovery!
Today, Mioné is thriving and studying to become a nurse, inspired to give back after her life-changing experience.
“When we found out that a donor became available, we were tremendously overwhelmed with gratefulness and thankfulness by the thought that a young male from Germany made the life-saving decision to donate his stem cells.
“Thank you for the chance to experience more smiles, love, happiness, grace, joy and opportunities. I would not have without your gracious decision to donate. I do not have the words to thank you enough” a grateful Mioné shares.
Mioné’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and she urges others to register as stem cell donors and help rewrite someone else’s destiny:
“You could be someone’s second chance at life.”
To join the cause and help save a life, register with the SABMR at www.sabmr.co.za
Sources: South African Bone Marrow Registry | Mioné Malan
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