NATIONAL NEWS - In support of the 2025 Mandela Day theme, “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,” Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa, is urging South Africans to help address one of the country’s most overlooked healthcare inequalities: access to stem cell transplants for blood cancer patients.
Progress Made, But Lives Still Hang in the Balance
She explains that with over 19,000 South Africans living with blood cancer, every 10 new stem cell donor registrations significantly improve their chances of finding a life-saving match.
“We’ve made progress, with more than 125,000 donors currently registered, but the registry still lacks diversity. Patients of Asian, Coloured, and Black heritage still face reduced chances of finding a match due to underrepresentation in the donor pool.”
She adds that even when a match is found, patient outcomes can be compromised if donors fail to follow through with the donation process when called upon.”
The High Price of Survival
Even with a growing donor base, survival is not guaranteed, especially when financial obstacles stand in the way.
“Nearly 80% of South Africans rely on the public healthcare system, where access to blood cancer treatment remains severely limited,” notes Mokomele. “While the state covers transplant costs, families are often left to fund essential steps such as tissue typing and donor searches - costs many simply cannot afford.”
Be the Difference This Mandela Day
In just 67 minutes, South Africans can take two meaningful steps that may help save a life.
Step 1: Register as a donor (5 minutes)
Visit www.dkms-africa.org and complete a short health questionnaire. Eligible donors aged 17 to 55 will receive a free home swab kit - just a simple cheek swab could save a life.
Step 2: Multiply your impact (62 minutes)
Get involved by hosting a registration drive at your workplace, raising awareness on social media, or making a monetary donation to help fund the cost of registering new donors and helping patients find a match. Every contribution brings patients closer to the treatment they desperately need.
“Madiba reminded us that ‘what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others,” concludes Mokomele. “Every donor, every Rand, every shared post counts. If we all act, we can close the gap between diagnosis and survival -and that’s a legacy Madiba would be proud of.”
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