South Africans in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant are in a dire situation, owing to a high rate of donor attrition.
According to non-profit organisation DKMS Africa, more than 30 000 South Africans registered as stem cell donors in 2023.
However, more than half of matched donors changed their minds when they received the call.
Palesa Mokomele, head of community engagement at DKMS Africa, said that donor attrition reduced the chances of survival for many patients.
“Unlike other medical donations – such as donating blood, which takes place immediately – stem cell donation is a multi-stage process, meaning that those who have registered may be contacted weeks, months, or even years after they have signed up if they are a possible match for a patient,” Mokomele has explained.
According to Mokomele, the uncertainty around whether and when they will be called on to donate impacts donor availability.
“The reality is that 56% of registered donors drop out. With every registration, there is hope. Action is what truly makes a difference.
“We, therefore, urge South Africans between the ages of 17 and 55, who are in good health, to not only register as a stem cell donor, but to act when the call for donation comes.
“Finding a matching stem cell donor is already like searching for a needle in a haystack, so when they choose not to follow through, it further delays the process of locating suitable donors, while also increasing wait times for transplants – putting patient survival at risk,” said Mokomele.
To prevent this type of risk to patients, as well as to help give patients a second chance at life as fast as possible, Mokomele has urged registered donors to regularly update their donor profile to reflect their current health status and availability.
