Stem cell drive activists visit Richards Bay
AS part of a 10-year journey spanning three continents to raise awareness about stem cell donation, a Nelspruit couple stopped in at Richards Bay this week.
The Matches on the Map journey, which set off on World Marrow Donor Day in September, will take Robin and Jolandie Lewis to 64 countries to sign up stem-cell donors and help add diversity to the bone marrow donor database.
The trip is in partnership with the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), an NPO that helps patients in need of bone marrow transplants.
Richards Bay stopover
The Lewis couple received a warm welcome from City of uMhlathuze Deputy Mayor Christo Botha on their arrival in Richards Bay.
They are hosting drives at Zululand Multi Sport Club, local high schools and other local organisations during their stay.
Their journey will see them travelling in their custom-built motor home 'Betsy'
- a converted fire truck that runs on used cooking oil.
Botha commended the pair and has called on local businesses and communities to support the initiative.
For their journey, they need used cooking oil, fuel vouchers or cash donations as they travel to Zinkwazi, Ballito, uMhlanga and on to Cape Town.
Inspiration behind the drive
Robin and Jolandie were inspired to take
on this project after a successful stem cell transplant in 2018 when Robin was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia (FA) – a genetic DNA repair disorder that can lead to bone marrow failure, leukaemia or cancerous tumours.
After being discharged following months in hospital and given a 10-year life expectancy, the couple decided to use their decade to give back.
They bought Betsy in 2019 to travel through Africa and assist non-profit projects.
However, after leading a support group for patients living with FA in South Africa, and doing a recruitment drive for two young girls who needed donors, they found their calling.
Matches on the Map
The project aims to debunk stigmas associated with stem cell donation and increase the number of donors of colour on the registry.
"We appeal to corporates and the public to come on board and help us fulfil this dream of making a meaningful change," said Robin.
"The likelihood of people from certain ethnic backgrounds finding a successful match is only 37% compared with patients from European descent whose chances are 72%.
"As a survivor, I know what a harrowing experience it is to wait for a donor match when you’re running out of time."
Matches on the Map will allow access to a more diverse spectrum of donors because ethnicity plays a role in finding donor matches.
Only 35% of the SABMR donor base is of colour, which is not reflective of the demographic make-up of South Africa.
This limits the ability to find matches for patients who are of African or Indian descent.
To find out more or contribute, find them on social media: Numinous Expeditions.
School drive
Meanwhile, Felixton College is encouraging parents and local residents (under 45) as well as pupils (over 16) to visit Betsy on Thursday to register as potential donors. Stop at the school's Dickson Oval on Thursday between 10am and 2pm to have a simple saliva swab taken, and meet the couple who are literally taking on the world in their quest to save as many lives as possible, while raising awareness surrounding the many ways your stem cells can save lives.
Did you know?
• You have a 1-100000 chance of being someone's match? Signing up is free and painless.
• Persons between the ages of 16 and 45 are eligible to sign up, and you stay on the registry until the age of 60.
• The process involves completing a registration/application form and taking 4 saliva swabs that will be sent to the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) who does all the necessary testing and registers the potential donor on the international registry. (No cost to the donor.)
• If you are a match, you will receive the call from the SABMR informing you that you have the opportunity to save a life.
• If the potential donor agrees to it, he/ she and a family member or friend will be flown (at no cost to the donor) to the closest donation centre to start the process.
• The donation can be compared to a simple blood donation and is non-invasive.