The South African Department of Health commemorates Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month annually from 15 August to 15 October.
While there is very little public awareness about the far-reaching impact of leukaemia and other blood disorders, growing support from several leading organisations globally has signaled the importance of sharing critical information and providing individuals with opportunities to support and make a difference in the lives of such patients.
Leukaemia – a cancer of blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow – is one of more than 70 blood disorders diagnosed daily in thousands of adults and children around the world. It is treatable with a blood stem cell transplant. A blood stem cell (or bone marrow transplant, as it is more commonly known) is a process by which a patient’s unhealthy cells are replaced with healthy cells from a matching donor.
The Sunflower Fund partnered by DKMS is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders by recruiting potential stem cell donors to provide patients in need of a stem cell transplant with a second chance at life.
Recent statistics have revealed that every 27 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with a blood disorder. While it’s important to showcase this statistic to raise awareness, the Sunflower Fund draws on Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month to highlight the dire need for South Africans to help by joining the registry of stem cell donors.
Individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 can register as donors. In the wake of COVID-19, the Sunflower Fund has redirected their donor recruitment efforts online. Registering as a blood stem cell donor has never been easier – you can do so by completing an online registration form on www.sunflowerfund.org and following the simple steps.
For more information on becoming a blood stem cell donor or to discuss other ways of support contact the Sunflower Fund on 0800 12 10 82 or send your query via WhatsApp on 074 715 0212 and they will call you back.
Photo: Sandiswa (9) is pictured with her mom Ayanda during one of her treatment sessions. She has Fancomi Anemia – a blood disorder affecting the bone marrow treatable by a stem cell transplant. They live in KZN and she is in need of a blood stem cell transplant