I’m a true Joburger, born and bred, and still proudly calling Jozi home. Got an amazing hubby and two awesome boys keeping life lively. Oh, and I work in the travel biz, making dreams come true!
When my boys were still in school, there was this boy fighting leukemia who needed a bone marrow transplant ASAP. Moved by his struggle, I decided to register with SABMR, hoping I could be the match he needed. Back then, becoming a donor meant footing the bill for your own tests, and insurance didn’t cover it. But I was determined to make a change.
We were over the moon when the South African Bone Marrow Registry found a perfect match for the boy. But tragically, he didn’t make it through the preparation for the transplant. That hit hard. I realized that if one of my boys ever needed a transplant, I’d have to rally a massive crew to sign up — like, 100,000 strong. Because finding a match is like finding a needle in a haystack, only 1 out of 100 000 is a match. Luckily, things have gotten a lot simpler now. Registering is easier, and there’s more awareness about how registration to become a donor could lead to saving someone’s life.
Getting the call from SABMR that I was a possible match for a patient was beyond thrilling. I mean, to hear that I could actually be a match for someone battling stage 4 cancer — it was incredible. My blood was sent all the way to Europe for more tests, and when they confirmed I was a 100% match, I was over the moon. It felt like I had the chance to really make a difference.
When I shared the news with my family and close friends that I was going to donate bone marrow stem cells, they were incredibly supportive. Some of them even decided to register themselves after hearing about the match. Their encouragement meant the world to me and made the decision to donate even more meaningful.
The preparation process before donating was pretty straightforward for me. I just had to follow the instructions for the injections and make sure to stay healthy. Thankfully, I didn’t experience any side effects from the injections, so it was no big deal at all. Overall, the process felt manageable, and I was ready to move forward with the donation.
On the day of the donation, I was feeling a bit anxious, especially with all the COVID-19 protocols in place (2021). But the staff at the donation centre were absolutely amazing. They were incredibly professional and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the entire process. Despite the circumstances, their care and attention helped put me at ease, and I knew I was in good hands.
After the donation, I felt pretty good overall. I mean, sure, I was a bit tired — it was a long process, after all. But nothing too serious. Knowing that I had potentially made a huge difference in someone’s life made any fatigue totally worth it.
Life after the donation pretty much went back to normal for me. But there was this incredible feeling lingering — like I was some sort of superwoman, knowing I had played a part in saving a life. It added an extra sparkle to everything I did.
My experience with SABMR was fantastic. They were incredibly professional and supportive throughout the entire process. Even after the donation, they kept in touch regularly, reminding me about my yearly check-ups. Knowing they were there, looking out for both the recipient and me, gave me a lot of comfort and reassurance.
Joining SABMR isn’t just about signing up; it’s about potentially becoming someone’s lifeline. Imagine being that one in a hundred thousand match for someone in need. It’s an opportunity to make a profound impact and maybe even save a life. Don’t hesitate—registration is simple. Just visit the SABMR website to learn more and get started. Seriously, don’t wait. You could be the difference someone is praying for.