WHEN 10-year-old Kyra Ramdin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2020, the world shook for family and friends who were heartbroken at the news.
As she battled the life threatening blood disorder, Ramdin showed signs of weight loss, exhaustion and a burning pain in her bones.
Mother Michelle said Kyra urgently needs to find a donor match for a blood cell stem transplant after her younger seven-year-old sister, Azaria, was not a match.
The last five months had seen Kyra undergo chemotherapy.
“Our faith and belief in God is keeping us strong,” said Michelle.
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She added that Kyra’s compromised immune system means she can no longer do her favourite thing- play with her 11-year-old dog, Zeus.
“She has often told me that the first thing she will do when she is better is play with Zeus,” said Michelle.
According to DKMS Africa (formerly known as The Sunflower Fund), Ramdin requires an unrelated match since she does not have a match in her family. The chances of finding a donor match are 1:100 000 within your ethnic group, said DKMS Africa.
Anyone who is healthy and between the ages of 18 and 55 can contact DKMS Africa to find out how to become a donor. To register as a donor involves a non-invasive cheek swab. Once you have registered online a DNA swab kit is sent via courier and then collected when you have completed the process.
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If you are a successful match, the donor process is as painless as donating blood,” explains Alana James, DKMS Africa Country Executive Director.
“Blood stem cells are collected from your circulating blood stream much like donating platelets,” she added.
Visit www.dkms-africa.org or call 0800 12 10 82, weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm to register or to find out more information about becoming a blood stem cell donor.
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