Concerns around lack of black stem cell donors [Video]

SA Bone Marrow Registry deputy director Jane Ward talks about the need to be a bone marrow stem cell donor.

The South African Bone Marrow Registry says only 10% of black South Africans are registered as bone marrow stem cell donors.

Each year an estimated 4000 new cases of blood disorders such as leukaemia and lymphoma occur in South Africa.

The chance of survival for such patients is often slim due to a lack of donors.

Refiloe Mpakanyane speaks to SA Bone Marrow Registry deputy director Jane Ward about this.

So, 99% of the time we do peripheral blood stem cell collection, this involves the donor receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor five days before the collection. This injection stimulates the bone marrow in the big bones to produce more stem cells.

Jane Ward, Deputy Director – SA Bone Marrow Registry

These stem cells are then forced into the bloodstream and that is why some doners might feel a little bit …