Register with SAMBR in uMhlanga and add colour to life
According to SAMBR's database, approximately 45.5% is made up of White donors with other race groups covering the balance.
THE South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is hosting several awareness and screening events, in the hope of attracting more donors of colour to ensure the registry’s database is ethnically diverse.
The first donor awareness event was held recently at the Phoenix Plaza, north of Durban. There are more events to follow at Cornubia, KwaMashu and elsewhere in the province soon.
Speaking to Northglen News from the SAMBR office in uMhlanga, the organisation’s Sustainability and Donor Recruitment Coordinator for KZN, Kapil Premchand, said there are far fewer donors signing up from the Black, Indian and Coloured communities compared to White applicants.
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“Since the patient will most likely find their suitable match within the same ethnic group, it is imperative that we urgently sign up more applicants from various ethnic backgrounds”, said Premchand.
“Due to cultural and religious beliefs as well as fear of medical procedures, finding suitable donors in varying demographics often proves challenging,” he said.
Applicants often don’t realise that the process of donation is not as invasive as they think and similar to blood or platelet donations.
According to SAMBR’s database, approximately 45.5% is made up of White donors with other race groups covering the balance.
The chance of finding a match is about 1 in 100 000, and we therefore need to recruit from all corners of South Africa to grow our Registry as fast and as diversely as possible.
“By signing up now, we can create a diverse and committed database to protect and save future generations,” he added.
For more information call 072 7785 670 or 072 794 9316.
Alternatively, visit www.sambr.co.za.
