LIFESTYLE NEWS - Khumo (7) has faced more hardship than most children his age. After losing his mother at just six months old, he has been raised by his grandmother, Gogo Florence, who has devoted her life to caring for him.
Recently, Khumo was diagnosed with Fanconi Anaemia, a rare blood disorder that attacks the bone marrow. His only chance of survival is a stem cell transplant from a matching donor.
The first sign that something was wrong was his frequent nosebleeds, which eventually led to a visit to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where his condition was confirmed.
For Gogo Florence, the diagnosis is heartbreaking. “I’ve lost so much already. My daughter passed when Khumo was still a baby. I am the only mother he knows. My only hope now is that he can get the treatment he needs to live a normal life and go back to being a happy, playful child.”
The power of a single decision
While Khumo waits for a donor, stories like Zamaswazi’s show just how life-changing stem cell donation can be.
At just 19 years old, she made a decision that saved the life of a child she had never met. It happened by chance when she and her sister came across a DKMS Africa stem cell donor drive on campus. Initially hesitant, she eventually registered after her sister led the way.
Months later, she received the call that she was a match for a young patient. Despite initial fear and uncertainty, she chose courage.
“It was a scary process, but having the DKMS Africa team, the doctors, and my family with me was encouraging. Knowing I could give a child a second chance at life made every fear fade.”
Her donation came with only short-term side effects, but the impact was monumental – she gave a child a future.
How you can help
Stories like Khumo’s and Zamaswazi’s highlight the urgent need for more registered stem cell donors in South Africa. Every new registration increases the chances of more children finding a life-saving match.
You can make a difference. Register today.
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