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Home » SABMR wins the Grand Prize for WMDA’s World Marrow Donor Day 2018

SABMR wins the Grand Prize for WMDA’s World Marrow Donor Day 2018

5 July, 2019

We were thrilled to hear that the SABMR had won the Grand Prize for World Marrow Donor Day 2018!

World Marrow Donor Day is a global celebration, held on the third Saturday every September, where all donors are thanked for their willingness to donate. The SABMR marked the occasion with multiple campaigns: Groote Schuur Hospital, our ‘home’, was lit up in turquoise, our brand colour, for the two weeks surrounding World Marrow Donor Day. Besides media coverage, a dedicated website page and a microsite, we organised a festive ‘cake-off’ with Groote Schuur Hospital staff, and a PSI Global Challenge with PSI CRO (Centurion), to encourage their staff to register as donors. Three influencers spread our message during September: rugby captain Siya Kolisi, personality Siv Ngesi and radio presented Reinhard Ludick. Also, ‘Bikers for Bone Marrow’ was held on Sunday 16 September 2018: the Cape Town Motorcycle Club, who first became involved with the SABMR in 1996 when a club member was diagnosed with leukaemia, held a 200km drive to scenic Grabouw to spread awareness, riders and bikes decked out in the WMDD and SABMR signature turquoise ribbons.

The Originality Prize was won by the Romanian registry, Registrul National al Donatorilor Voluntari de Celule Stem Hematopoietice, for their moving outdoor light display: view it here; and the Incentive Prize was won by Canadian Blood Services for their ‘Click, click, CAPE!’ campaign. SABMR took the Grand Prize for our multi-faceted campaign.

This year, World Marrow Donor Day will be held on Saturday 21 September. See our website and Facebook page for details of our forthcoming campaign.

Another achievement: Full WMDA Accreditation granted

Following our World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) Qualification, the SABMR was granted full WMDA Accreditation in June 2018. ‘This is an international standard of care that all stem-cell registries worldwide strive to attain,’ says Dr Charlotte Ingram, Medical Director of the SABMR.

Besides being the only accredited stem-cell registry in Africa, the SABMR is now the first stem-cell registry worldwide to be granted full WMDA accreditation within two years, the minimum timeline prescribed for the process by the WMDA. ‘It was very much a team effort, but largely driven by Terry Schlaphoff, our Deputy Director, and Veronica Borrill, former International Search and Harvest Coordinator,’ says Dr Ingram. The final audit, which led to full Accreditation, included an onsite visit by two reviewers of the WMDA Accreditation Program. Accreditation is part of an ongoing programme: the SABMR will be re-evaluated in two years’ time, with an onsite inspection two years after that.

Lydia Foeken, Executive Director of the WMDA, said, ‘Obtaining accreditation is hard work and the process can take several years. It’s very impressive that the SABMR managed to get accredited within the minimum period of two years. This indicates their dedication and determination to show the world they are a true example of excellent care.’

Based in Leiden, the Netherlands, the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) is made up of organisations and individuals who promote global collaboration and best practices for the benefit of stem-cell donors and transplant patients.

The Patient Assistance Programme launches

In November 2018, we launched the SABMR’s Patient Assistance Programme. Its objective is to support those patients who lack the financial resources to cover the donor-related costs of a bone-marrow transplant, as our goal is to ensure that every adult and child referred to us can have the best chance of getting a transplant and going on to lead a full, healthy life. Support is allocated towards the costs of the search and the testing of local donors, and is extended to cover procurement of the stem cells should a suitably matched donor be identified on the SABMR.

Between 1 December 2018 and 14 February 2019 we ran the highly successful ‘Give a Little, Save a Life’ campaign, which raised R185,000 for our Patient Assistance Programme. Thanks to 22 generous sponsors, participants stood the chance of winning fabulous prizes worth a total of almost R100,000, including getaways, spa experiences, golf days, wine, restaurant meals and more.

All proceeds went to help four young patients from the Programme in urgent need of support: a 10-year-old girl with leukaemia, referred by doctors at a state hospital in the Eastern Cape; an eight-year-old boy with a hereditary form of anaemia, being treated at a state hospital in the Western Cape; a 10-year-old boy, and an elderly male.

Click here to make a financial contribution to the Patient Assistance Programme.

Filed Under: News from the Office



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)

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There is no greater gift than the gift of life. Su There is no greater gift than the gift of life. Support our Give A Little Save A Life campaign to raise funds for donor recruitment efforts to find a match for little Kethan Govender and other patients like him. Show your heart by donating at the link in our bio. @zolanimahola
We're officially sold out! Thank you for your supp We're officially sold out! Thank you for your support!
Happy Reconciliation Day South Africa! Happy Reconciliation Day South  Africa!
“𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁” – 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄

Congratulations to our three #50Squad winners for 2022. Isibabale Nkani from the Western Cape, San-Mari Pretorius from Gauteng and Sameera Sumed from KZN. Thank you for spreading awareness in your communities and bringing meaningful change by signing up donors to the SABMR and giving patients in need a second chance. Your unwavering dedication does not go unnoticed! Thank you for helping us save lives. 

If you’re between the ages of 16 and 35 and would like to sign up for our #50squad Volunteer initiative email us at donors@sabmr.co.za
Struggling to find the perfect gift for dad? Give Struggling to find the perfect gift for dad? Give him the gift of golf by booking a four-ball for our annual SABMR Charity Golf Day in Cape Town taking place on 23 February 2023 at the Westlake Golf Course. Hurry as we're running an early bird special until the 15th of December where you get R500 off the original price! Book at the link in our bio NOW!
Meet Gaelen Naidoo, Donor Recruitment officer at o Meet Gaelen Naidoo, Donor Recruitment officer at our Cape Town head office. Gaelen joined the SABMR in October  and says what he enjoys most  about his job is the fact that he is making a meaningful difference in the lives of people in South Africa and across the globe.  Welcome to the SABMR Gaelen, you're a real asset!
It is the season of giving, give someone the ultim It is the season of giving, give someone the ultimate gift - the gift of life -  by signing up as a donor. There is a 1 in 100 000 chance that you could be the perfect match for someone who has been so desperately longing for a second chance. Head over to www.sabmr.co.za
Enjoy a magical night under the stars for the whol Enjoy a magical night under the stars for the whole family at the SABMR Open Air Movie Night at Kirstenbosh Gardens on Tuesday 20 December 2022. We will be screening the Christmas classic the Polar Express starring Tom Hanks.  Come and sing along to some Christmas carols while the little ones are entertained with lawn games ahead of the screening of the movie. All proceeds will go towards our Patient Assistance Programme. Book now! Link in bio!
Give the gift of life this Christmas. Many familie Give the gift of life this Christmas. Many families won't be gathering around the Christmas table this year, as their loved one awaits a stem cell transplant. Help us raise much-needed funds to ramp up our donor recruitment efforts to help find their perfect match. Help Kethan and other patients like him have their second chance at life. Click at the link in our bio to donate
If you have changed your number, have a new addres If you have changed your number, have a new address or email and you’re registered as a donor, please don't forget to update your details on our website. If you're identified as a match for a patient, getting hold of you is vital as time is of the essence. Update your details at the link in our bio.
Many families will not have the privilege of havin Many families will not have the privilege of having their loved ones home these holidays as they undergo chemotherapy due to life-threatening illnesses such as leukaemia, as they await a stem cell transplant. One of these patients is three-year-old Kethan Govender from KwaZulu-Natal.

The pre-schooler who loves cars, spiderman, and the outdoors was recently diagnosed which has left his parents devastated. His dad Keshan Govender says the family is still trying to process his diagnosis, but he and his wife Sheena have decided to turn their attention to creating awareness and raising funds for donor recruitment - for Kethan and other children and patients like him through the Give A Little, Save Life campaign. 

Click to the link in our bio to read more and donate towards this campaign.
🚨 BLACK FRIDAY ALERT 🚨 Purchase tickets to 🚨 BLACK FRIDAY ALERT 🚨

Purchase tickets to our SABMR Open Air Movie Night at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on 20 December 2022 on Computicket and 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄. 
 - 𝟑𝟎% off on early bird tickets on Friday the 25th of November 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘
 - 𝟑𝟎% off on regular priced tickets on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of November 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘

What are you waiting for? Enjoy a Christmas-themed movie night under the stars suitable for the whole family as we screen The Polar Express. All Aboard!!! 

LINK IN BIO
Give the gift of golf this Christmas. Early bird t Give the gift of golf this Christmas. Early bird tickets are available for the Annual SABMR Charity Golf Day at the Westlake Golf Course @westlakegolfclub  in Cape Town on the 23rd of February 2023. Book now and save R500 on a four-ball. Book at the link our bio
Tis (almost) the season to be jolly! Join us for a Tis (almost) the season to be jolly! Join us for a Christmas-themed night under the stars at the SABMR Open-Air Movie Night at Kirstenbosch Gardens on 20 December 2022. We will be screening the 2004 classic Polar Express which is sure to keep the whole family entertained. Early bird tickets are now available. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards our Patient Assistance Programme - click to the link in our bio
Our Deputy Director Jane Ward and Head of Sustaina Our Deputy Director Jane Ward and Head of Sustainability and National Operations Kamiel Singh today attended a CSI event hosted by @grandslots. We are one of the beneficiaries of a grant awarded to our Patient Assistance Programme.
Meet Mbali Mafu, Sustainability and Donor Recruitm Meet Mbali Mafu, Sustainability and Donor Recruitment Administrator in our KZN Office. Mbali joined the SABMR in April this year, but it feels like she has been part of the SABMR family forever.  Mbali says she loves working at the SABMR as she feels she is contributing in some sort of way to save somebody’s life. “ Knowing that somebody out there can benefit from my efforts, is something that is a big deal for me and I do not take this lightly. #SABMRSuperstar
Our Deputy Director Jane Ward recently attended th Our Deputy Director Jane Ward recently attended the One Forum from 04-05 November in Minneapolis. Pictured left to right Louise Cho (Bone Marrow Donor Registry Singapore), SABMR Deputy Director Jane Ward, and Thilo Buerklin (Ontime Courier). Thank you to Bethematch.org for hosting an amazing conference!!
Meet Isibabale Nkani, a #50Squad member from Cape Meet  Isibabale Nkani, a #50Squad member from Cape Town
Get R500 off on our early bird special for the SAB Get R500 off on our early bird special for the SABMR Annual Charity Golf Day at Westlake Golf Course In Cape Town on 23 February 2023. Book before the 15th of December and you only pay R3 500 for a ball which includes lunch, watering holes, access to the auction, and a goodie bag. Head over to the link in our bio to book your spot NOW!
More than 40 cyclists will be raising much-needed More than 40 cyclists will be raising much-needed funds and awareness for the SABMR at this year's Virgin Active 947 Joburg Ride. Help them achieve their target by pledging your support with a donation at the link in our bio
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