Blood cancer is a life-threatening condition that affects thousands of people in South Africa and millions worldwide. It disrupts the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells, weakening the immune system and making it difficult to fight infections, carry oxygen, and stop bleeding.

The most common types of blood cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. While each type develops differently, they all begin in the bone marrow or lymphatic system—critical parts of the body responsible for producing and protecting our blood.

At the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), we are dedicated to giving blood cancer patients a second chance at life by connecting them with matching stem cell donors.

What Is Blood Cancer?

Blood cancer occurs when abnormal blood cells grow uncontrollably, interfering with the normal production and function of healthy cells.

This can lead to:

• Severe fatigue and weakness
• Frequent infections due to low immunity
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Shortness of breath

Unlike many other cancers, blood cancer doesn’t form a single tumor. Instead, it affects the bloodstream and bone marrow, making treatment more complex and often more urgent.

Blood Cancer Treatment and When It’s Not Enough

Treatment for blood cancer often includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted treatments. While these can be effective, they don’t work for every patient.

For many, a stem cell transplant becomes the only remaining option for survival.

This is where hope meets science.

The Lifesaving Role of Stem Cell Donation

A stem cell transplant replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy cells from a donor, allowing the body to rebuild its blood and immune system.

However, finding a match is one of the biggest challenges in treating blood cancer:

• Only 30% of patients find a match within their family
• Around 70% must rely on unrelated donors
• Matching depends on complex genetic markers

This makes donor registries absolutely critical in the fight against blood cancer.

Fighting Blood Cancer Through a Global Network

The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) connects local patients to a global network of over 43 million stem cell donors.

But there’s a crucial factor: patients are more likely to find a match within their own ethnic background. That’s why building a diverse South African donor registry is essential to improving blood cancer survival rates.

Every new donor increases the chances of saving a life.

Giving Blood Cancer Patients Hope

Every person diagnosed with blood cancer faces uncertainty—but also the possibility of hope.

At SABMR, we believe:

• No one should face blood cancer alone
• Every patient deserves access to a matching donor
• Awareness and action can directly save lives

A single donor can mean the difference between life and loss.

How You Can Help Fight Blood Cancer

You have the power to make a real difference in the fight against blood cancer.

By registering as a stem cell donor:

• You join a global lifesaving network
• You offer hope to patients in need
• You could be the one match someone is waiting for

The process is simple, safe, and potentially life-changing—not just for the patient, but for you too.

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