Menu
  • Home
  • About
      • Background and Mission
      • What We Do
      • Key Activities in The Donor Search Process
      • SABMR Board and Governance
      • Banking Details
      • Press Releases
      • World Marrow Donor Day (#WMDD)
      • Patient Services Leaflet (PDF)
      • Sponsors
    • Close
  • Celebrating Life
    • Stories about Patients
    • Stories About Donors
    • Close
  • Medical professionals
      • Protocol and Forms
      • Donor Search
    • Close
  • Join the Registry
      • Become a Donor
      • Become a Volunteer
      • Donor Exclusion Criteria
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Submit a Tender
    • Close
  • Blog
  • Update your details
  • Contact us
  • 0 itemsR0.00

South African Bone Marrow Registry

  • DONATE
  • CALL NOW: +27 21 447 8638
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • could be someone's
    YOU
    tomorrow!
  • SABMR
    COVID-19 Update
  • SABMR
    Your hope for a tomorrow
  • Become a stem cell donor
    TODAY!
    CLICK HERE
  • Patient Services
    View Our Information Leaflet
    CLICK HERE
FINDING A MATCH TO SAVE A LIFE

Blog

Home » Blog » A PRICELESS AND SACRED GIFT

HI, I'M THEMBATEE,

and this is my blog for the South African Bone Marrow Registry. It’s the Registry’s 30th birthday this year, and to celebrate, all year long I’ll be bringing you stories of the lives of the donors and patients we work with every single day—stories filled with tears and with laughter, with selflessness and second chances, and above all, with hope.

Hey Readers, ThembaTee here with a story that shows us we’re never too busy–or too young–to help people in need.

Ten years ago, 20-year-old Reabetswe Khumbane jumped at the opportunity to help save a sick child in need of a bone marrow transplant. Below, Reabetswe addresses why it’s so important for all Black South Africans to register as bone marrow donors, and what’s stopping them from doing so.

A PRICELESS AND SACRED GIFT

When 20-year-old Reabetswe Khumbane was a student at the University of the Witwatersrand, he visited the campus blood drive to give his regular blood donation. That’s when he came across the SABMR registration tent and learned what it meant to be a bone marrow donor.

“Right away, I knew it was something I had to do,” Reabetswe says. He immediately completed the donor registration process, eager to get his name on the Registry in hopes of saving a life someday. It wouldn’t be long before he got that chance—and took it. I do think we all have a sense of when it’s time to do the right thing. The real question is, how many of us follow through on that feeling? Thank you Reabetswe not just for knowing what that “right thing” was for you, but resolving yourself to actually do it.

While most registered donors never get the call to donate, and the ones that do typically get the call many years after registering, the SABMR phoned Reabetswe within just a few months to notify him that he was a potential match for a young child in need of a bone marrow transplant. He agreed to a round of blood tests, which confirmed he was a perfect match for the child.

Less than one year after registering, Reabetswe completed his donation at Netcare’s Garden City Clinic. His sister and a close friend were by his side throughout the six-hour process. While he was nervous at first, Reabetswe says, he quickly realised “there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of. It was a very straightforward procedure and the SABMR made sure everything was taken care of.” I can speak firsthand about the effort and care that the people at the SABMR put into making both donors’ and patients’ experiences as seamless as possible. The Registry team really does everything they can to make the whole process as easy as they can for everyone involved, because they know how nerve-wracking the transplant process can be for both sides!

Reabetswe says the SABMR staff were “friendly, patient and extremely supportive”, staying by his bedside throughout the donation to ensure he was comfortable and had everything he needed. “It showed me how much the SABMR cares about their donors, not just as a donor but also as a person,” he remembers. Since his donation, Reabetswe says the SABMR team calls often to check in and say hello. We will forever be grateful to you Reabetswe, and it is a privilege to follow your life journey!

Reabetswe says he felt normal almost right away after his donation, despite being a bit tired. He refrained from the gym for a few days per his doctor’s recommendations, but less than a week after his donation, he felt good as new.

When asked how he feels about being a donor, Reabetswe says he is proud and grateful. “Being a donor is something I hold very dear to my heart and will cherish for the rest of my life,” he explains. “One of the mottos in my life is to try to make a difference in the lives of all those that you come across. Being able to improve someone’s quality of life is a priceless and sacred gift.”

Unfortunately, Reabetswe says, many Black South Africans do not register to be bone marrow donors. He believes this is due to a lack of education about bone marrow, misconceptions about what it means to be a donor, as well as a general mistrust of Western medicine. “Historically,” he explains, “procedures such as blood and bone marrow donations have been discouraged due to beliefs that these procedures remove things from the body. There is a misunderstanding that donors are losing a part of themselves. When you are not informed about something, you often tend to come up with your own theories, which leads to misinformation being spread.

Thankfully, Reabetswe believes that misinformation can be remedied through dialogue, so he’s taking every opportunity he can get to share his story with friends and family. He explains, “The Black South African culture is very big on the concepts of Ubuntu and community building, and if we can explain the lifesaving potential that registering has for people in our community, that will help motivate people to sign up.”

Reabetswe says that, unlike older generations, young Black South Africans are very open-minded and would likely register if they knew how important it was. “Things are changing and they have been for a while,” he explains. “You are seeing a lot of younger Black South Africans in spaces and occupations which the older generation are not seen in. You just need to look at the number of young Black South Africans who are becoming regular blood donors to see the change in mentality.”

“By increasing the number of Black South Africans who register, we can increase the potential to help Black patients desperately in need,” Reabetswe says.

Reabetswe, my friend, you are right. The SABMR is specifically seeking donors of colour between the ages of 16 and 45. That’s because donors are usually found within the patient’s ethnic group, and because Black South Africans make up a majority of the South African demographic, it’s of critical importance that the Registry is reflective of that so that all patients in need have an equal shot at finding a donor. Because without enough people of colour registered, Black and Coloured South Africans may not find a match in time—and may not survive.

 

As umXhosa would say, “UMZINGISI AKANASHWA”. That means “HE WHO PERSEVERES HAS NO MISFORTUNE.” With the help of amazing donors like Reabetswe, we will keep working to save the lives of patients in need by matching them with their lifesaving donors. And that starts with sharing stories like these–and raising awareness about the need for ethnically diverse donors.

 

Help us save South African lives! Click here to register.

For more stories like this, click here to view our special edition 30th anniversary magazine

Follow us

Share the good news



Is your child on a transplant journey?

In 2020, the SABMR teamed up with 11-year-old transplant recipient Rachel Ancer and her family to produce Rachel’s Second Chance, an illustrated children’s book and educational booklet on bone marrow transplants. With hope, humour, and insight, including key elements of the transplant process and advice on what to expect during a transplant journey, Rachel’s Second Chance is a resource for the whole family.

Available for sale for R79.95 (e-book for R39.95).

BUY NOWBUY NOW (ebook)

Want some good news in your inbox?


Thank you for your interest in subscribing to our e-newsletter.

Subscribe to our email newsletter to get Registry updates and stories about the patients and donors who make our work possible.

Your details will then automatically be sent to us and you will be added to our list.

Newsletter Subscribe

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

GET IN TOUCH

+27 21 447 8638
+27 21 404 6395
patients@sabmr.co.za
donors@sabmr.co.za

FIND US

Navigate

Site info

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Special Edition 30th Anniversary Digital Magazine
  • Virtual Stand

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR)

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

sabonemreg

It is the last day for you to participate in our s It is the last day for you to participate in our survey. If you would like to be entered into the draw for the R2 500 cash prize. Snap the QR code on the poster or follow the link in our bio
July is World Cord Blood Awareness Month and we're July is World Cord Blood Awareness Month and we're spreading awareness with our partners @next_biosciences 

Why is umbilical cord blood important you ask? Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be used in the regeneration of bone marrow and can replace diseased or damaged cells with new healthy cells. Bone marrow stem cells rebuilds a person’s blood and immune system. 
Click on the link in our bio for more information on stem cells.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pjcDWVxrNQ 
#communitybank #stemcellbanking #cordblood #cordbloodawareness #bonemarrow
Six-year-old, Fanele Memela, wants nothing more th Six-year-old, Fanele Memela, wants nothing more than to spend as much time with her baby brother as she can. Unfortunately due to her diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, she spends many days in hospital undergoing chemotherapy as she awaits a bone marrow stem cell donor match. You can help by donating towards the cost of the search for her donor at the link in our bio
Diagnosed with Fanconi Anaemia at the age of only Diagnosed with Fanconi Anaemia at the age of only six months, Kiara Rossouw (18) needs our help to find a matching donor for a bone marrow stem cell transplant. Her family has already suffered so much having lost her younger brother in 2019 to the same genetic disease. We will be hosting a drive at the APK Church in Rustenburg on the 9th of July. Please come and sign up to give Kiara and her family a second chance!
As a toddler with leukaemia facing a slim (10%) ch As a toddler with leukaemia facing a slim (10%) chance of surviving, Rebecca Stinger needed a miracle. That miracle came in the form of Zyta Foxcroft, who donated bone marrow stem cells to save Rebecca’s life. Now 18 and 14 years cancer-free, Rebecca is embracing life! Read at the link in our bio
Thank you to @westville_senior_primary for hostin Thank you to @westville_senior_primary  for hosting a drive for one of their own today. Siyamthanda Nxasana is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant and awaiting her perfect match. Students, community members, and teachers came out in their droves this morning to sign up and show their support for this cause. It was great meeting all of you and inspirational to see how communities pull together in a time of need. #SwabtoSave
If you have not yet done so, please answer our sho If you have not yet done so, please answer our short survey about bone marrow stem cell donation and you could win R2 500 in cash! Follow the link in our bio or scan the QR code in the image.
Thank you to Varsity College Durban North for allo Thank you to Varsity College Durban North for allowing us to host a drive at your campus this week. A big shout out to each and every student who came to learn more about bone marrow stem cell donation and signed up as donors to help us save lives! 💙
Happy Youth Day South Africa. As the saying goes: Happy Youth Day South Africa. 
As the saying goes: "Our children are our future", but often, many children's lives are cut short, because of a lack of bone marrow stem cell donors. Give children with blood disorders a future by signing up as a donor at www.sabmr.co.za
Did you know that the odds of finding a bone marro Did you know that the odds of finding a bone marrow stem cell donor match is like finding a needle in a haystack? There's only 1 in 100 000 chance that you can be someone's match -  that's why we are continuously recruiting to give someone a second chance at life.  Can we count on you to be the ONE? Sign up at www.sabmr.co.za
June is Youth Month and we're celebrating by givin June is Youth Month and we're celebrating by giving SA youth the chance to be part of positive change. We're recruiting volunteers across the country to help us save lives through our 50 Squad initiative - are you game to become a hero? 
See the details on poster #swabtosave #YouthMonth
Hi everyone! @themba_tee27 here, sharing the beau Hi everyone! @themba_tee27  here, sharing the beautiful story of a brave new mother who, just six months after giving birth to her first child, took the chance to save someone’s life. Brenda Masuku became the SABMR’s first black donor in 2003 – and just a few years later got the chance to meet the little girl for whom she donated. Read more at the link in our bio
Our POV (Point of View) we really like connecting Our POV (Point of View) we really like connecting with you. Follow, like, chat, share and comment on our social media channels. Find us on Instagram and Twitter @sabonemreg or @sabonemarrow on Tik Tok
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do s “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”- Helen Keller
 
It is only through collaboration with likeminded partners that we’re able to continue to save lives. We’d like to congratulate @intercare_  on their 20th year anniversary. Here’s wishing you many more decades of growth and sustainability in your quest to make people feel better”.
Did you know - signing up as a bone marrow stem ce Did you know - signing up as a bone marrow stem cell donor and the registration process is absolutely free? With the rising cost of living, there's not  much free anything these days!  So, what are you waiting for? If you're between the ages of 16 and 45, be a good Samaritan and sign up to give someone a second chance at life.
STOP SCROLLING Fanele needs your help! At only 6 y STOP SCROLLING Fanele needs your help! At only 6 years old, this Durbanite is relying on the kindness of a stranger to give her a second chance at life as none of her family members are a viable bone marrow stem cell match. Could you be the one? Sign up as a donor at www.sabmr.co.za  or make a financial donation that will help ramp up donor recruitment efforts to save her life her at the @backabuddy  link in our bio
Answer our short survey about bone marrow stem cel Answer our short survey about bone marrow stem cell donation and you could win 
R2 500 in cash! Follow the link in our bio to participate
Did you know that you can sign up as a volunteer f Did you know that you can sign up as a volunteer for the SABMR? Has it always been your dream to make a difference in your community? If you’re between the ages of 16 and 35, and would like to develop your marketing skills and gain workplace experience, sign up to become a volunteer bone marrow donor recruiter. See details on poster and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
NEW BLOG ALERT! Hi Readers, thanks for joining me NEW BLOG ALERT!

Hi Readers, thanks for joining me! Today I tell the harrowing story of the baby boy whose first year of life would be a greater medical challenge than most of us face in a lifetime.  At just six months old, Ian Zwanepoel was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease. Then he became the youngest child for whom the SABMR had ever facilitated a bone marrow transplant. Read his story at the link in our bio! @themba_tee27
Three cheers for the majestic Mpumalanga! Thank yo Three cheers for the majestic Mpumalanga! Thank you for welcoming us with open arms and giving us the chance to recruit donors at not one, but two drives this week. We were at Penryn College and the mall today and the support was overwhelming. Thank you for helping us save lives 💙
Load More… Follow on Instagram


© 2017. South African Bone Marrow Registry. All rights reserved. Website by Terri Love Designs.