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The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is the only bone marrow registry in Africa to achieve full accreditation by the World Marrow Donor Association. It has successfully secured bone marrow stem cell transplants for more than 450 patients.

Did you know?

A patient is most likely to find a match within their own ethnic group.

The stem cell donor needs to be a genetic or DNA match, and not a blood group match.

According to the SABMR, about 30% of patients find a match within their families while the other 70% rely on finding a match from an unrelated donor .

What is bone marrow?

Bone marrow is the tissue that produces red cells to carry oxygen, white cells to fight infection and platelets to prevent bleeding – all required to sustain life.

What’s the difference between a stem cell or bone marrow transplant?

In the past, patients who needed a stem cell transplant received a bone marrow transplant because the stem cells were collected from the bone marrow.

Today, stem cells can be collected from the blood as well.

 Why does someone need a bone marrow/stem cell transplant?

Stem cell transplants are a lifesaving treatment option for those diagnosed with blood diseases like leukemia, sickle cell disease, inherited genetic blood disorders and other bone marrow deficiencies.

Each year thousands of people with such blood diseases reach a stage where only this procedure offers a chance of cure.

What happens if I’m a potential match for someone?

When you’re identified as a potential match by the SABMR, you’ll undergo several rounds of testing and if you’re still a match after all the testing, you’ll be given a thorough  a medical examination to make sure that you are fit to donate stem cells.

How are stem cells donated?

Stem cells are collected using two methods, either peripheral blood stem cell collection or bone marrow stem cell collection.
Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection is the most likely method of collecting your stem cells. A PBSC donation is a nonsurgical procedure, also known as an apheresis.

This process is similar to what is used when donating blood platelets.

The procedure is usually completed in one session and takes about 4 to 6 hours.
 The second method used is bone marrow stem cell collection, a surgical procedure that is seldom used in South Africa.

During this procedure, some of your marrow is removed from the back of your pelvic bone, using sterile needles and syringes.

You can register if you’re:

• between 18-45 years old,
• committed to helping others,
• in good health (not a risk of contracting hepatitis or other sexually transmitted infections),
• over 50 kg and have a body mass index (BMI) of <40,
• a regular blood donor (preferable, but not necessary), and
• prepared to remain on the SABMR until you’re 60 years old.

For a more you can contact donors@sabmr.co.za or the SABMR on 021 447 8638.

The Sunflower Fund is a donor recruitment centre and registry.

We fight blood diseases like leukemia through the recruitment of stem cell donors and maintaining a registry of potential donors committed to helping anyone in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant. We fund raise to cover the cost of education and awareness. The Sunflower Fund also maintains a patient support fund to assist patients who are unable to afford associated costs, relating to transplants as well as being actively involved in support structures to assist patients, families and communities.

Together we can fight life-threatening blood diseases. Be somebody’s hope for life by registering to be a stem cell donor, donating money or volunteering.

One in 600 South African children will develop leukemia and will need treatment, which may include a bone marrow transplant.
The good news though, is that if diagnosed early, 70 to 85% of children can be cured.

About bone marrow donation
Contrary to a very popular belief that donating bone marrow is painful and invasive, its actually easy!
South Africans are mostly either scared or ignorant about bone marrow donation. Here Belinda sets out the simple procedure:

1.    Call The Sunflower Fund toll-free number on 0800 12 10 82.
2.    They’ll make sure you meet the criteria, process your application and at this point you can also make a donation (it’s not compulsory). Why do they need donations? The tissue typing test is very expensive to do, so every little bit of cash you can donate will make a big difference.
3.    You’ll then be emailed a simple form to complete (it takes 2 minutes).
4.    You then scan and email a copy of the completed form back to them, clutch the real form in your hand and head to your nearest donor centre (ie : The Colony Centre in Craighall) or call for directions to your nearest donor centre.
5.    Here they take two tiny test tubes of blood and that’s it, you’re registered.

If the rare opportunity comes along that you are a match for someone, the procedure is also relatively simple and non-invasive.  For a few days before the extraction, you’ll have a small series of injections which will stimulate your production of stem cells. These excess cells then enter your blood stream, where they are available to harvest.

You’ll then need to sit for between 4 and 6 hours (you can also break this up over 2 days) whilst your blood is filtered through a cell separator machine.  Your blood is spun inside the machine and your precious stem cells separated into a bag. For more information contact : The Sunflower Fund toll-free number on 0800 12 10 82.