Clifton learner fights for another chance
Robbie Eddles is appealing to the community to join the SA Bone Marrow Registry.
A YOUNG man with his whole life ahead of him is appealing to the community to sign up to the South African Bone Marrow Registry.
Robert (Robbie) Eddles, a 17-year-old Grade 11 learner at Clifton College, was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of five.
He fought like a warrior and after aggressive chemo, went into remission. In January 2014, a few years later when he was 12, the family were dealt a blow following a routine MRI scan that confirmed that Robbie had relapsed and the leukaemia had returned.
Again he bravely fought the insidious disease and seemed to have won, however, a few weeks ago he and his family were informed that it had returned for a third time. His bone marrow is said to be 90 per cent leukaemic, which means that without a bone marrow match, Robbie is running out of time.
“There are very few options left to Robbie. The oncologist who is testing him is investigating a revolutionary new therapy called Car-T therapy. Unfortunately, this cannot be attempted without a donor in the wings. Robbie has been on the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) for nearly 12 years and sadly has never found a match. Every year thousands of people in South Africa are diagnosed with blood diseases such as leukaemia, marrow failure or aplasia, and other inherited metabolic and immune deficiency syndromes which often reach a stage where only the transplant procedure offers a chance of cure,” said Robbie’s aunt, Kerry Moller, who is driving a fundraising and awareness campaign for him.
ALSO READ: Are you a match for Robbie?
In 2014, Robbie’s doctor confirmed that he would need to undergo a life-saving bone marrow stem cell transplant. Neither of his older sisters has positively matched as a potential donor for him. Statistically, the chances of a patient finding a match is 1:100 000 within their own ethnic group as the “markers” that are tested when searching for a match are genetically inherited.
“The SABMR currently has 77 000 people on its books as potential donors which out a population of nearly 60 million is appalling. Moreover, in our ethnically diverse society there is a desperate need for donors of all races to be represented on the SABMR. For this to have happened three times to a child is almost unbearable and yet Robbie remains brave and always positive and cheerful,” said Kerry.
Kerry said the biggest obstacle to creating a campaign to drive everyone eligible to register with SABMR is ignorance and lack of understanding of the process to register and be tested, as well as to actually be a donor.
“It is so easy and no longer involves blood tests – a simple saliva swab is all it takes! They will even come to your house to deliver a kit and collect to courier to the lab for testing,” said Kerry.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 45, weigh over 50kgs with a BMI of <35 and have no history of sexually transmitted diseases, consider becoming a bone marrow stem cell donor to help young patients like Robbie Eddles and others who suffer from a life-threatening blood disorder.
ALSO READ: Another little hero fights for life
Kerry urged the community to visit the SABMR website at www.sabmr.co.za and click on “Join the Registry” and then “Become a Donor”.
You will need to complete a few eligibility questions and if you are eligible you will be sent an email almost immediately. All the forms to be completed and returned are on the email and the registry will supply a swab test free of charge.
Kerry said the whole family was overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support shown by Durban communities for Robbie and the whole family.
“A number of swab test drives have been set up at Clifton and other schools throughout Durban. People also need to know that they cannot go on the registry for Robbie specifically but will be added as a potential donor for the entire database and may be called upon to help anyone in need. Every day counts – not just for our precious Robs but for so many other South African families,” she said.
She said she is also desperately needing help to raise funds for the SABMR which can be done on the website www.sabmr.co.za, or via www.robbieeddles.co.za.
Contact Kerry Moller on 082 579 0055.
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