Stem cell donors needed to fight deadly anaemia

Despite being one of the rarest blood disorders, Aplastic Anaemia is one of the deadliest, with about 70% of patients having a life expectancy of only one year if untreated.

Among the treatment options available, stem cell transplants offer hope and boast a 96% survival rate that increases to 100% in children and adults under the age of 40.

Unfortunately, there are only 76 019 donors on the South African registry, meaning that the chances of patients finding a suitable match are slim.

“The chances are slimmer for black Aplastic Anaemia patients as only 33% of the registry comprises black donors,” said Palesa Mokomele of DKMS Africa, an international non-profit organisation committed to the fight against blood cancer.

A patient’s best chance of a match comes from their own ethnic group. Currently, DKMS Africa is trying to find matching donors for at least seven SA patients between the ages of seven and 36. Some of them, like Kholiwe, 21, have been on the waiting list from 2020.

As she waits for a matching donor to be found, Kholiwe faces the challenge of finding permanent employment while undergoing medical treatments to keep her alive.

The condition occurs when bone marrow stops making enough blood cells. Damaged bone marrow leads to Aplastic Anaemia. In light of Aplastic Anaemia Awareness Day today, Kholiwe urges people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms.

“These include tiredness, feeling weak, pale skin and tongue, bruising and bleeding easily, rapid heartbeat, trouble breathing, frequent infections headaches and dizziness.”

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