Stem cell drive spreads hope to chronic patients

PATRON: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, hugged by his daughter, Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth, with Christopher and Caitlyn James and Sunflower Fund CEO Alana James sporting the new colourful and versatile "Tube of Hope" �in support of Sunflower Day�.

PATRON: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, hugged by his daughter, Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth, with Christopher and Caitlyn James and Sunflower Fund CEO Alana James sporting the new colourful and versatile "Tube of Hope" �in support of Sunflower Day�.

Published Sep 15, 2016

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IT is important to have hope when one is fighting a life-threatening disease, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said as South Africa marks stem cell donor month and Sunflower Day today.

Sunflower Day celebrates the hope of life for patients awaiting stem cell transplants and raises awareness of the need for healthy prospective donors. Sunflower Fund patron Tutu said sometimes hope is all we need.

Every year thousands of people are affected by blood diseases like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and other inherited genetic blood disorders.

Stem cell transplants are a life-saving treatment option for South Africans diagnosed with these blood diseases.

The chance of finding a donor is one in 100 000.

Sunflower Fund chief executive Alana James said: “The diagnosis of a dread disease like leukaemia is not only de-
vastating to the individual, but is equally traumatising for family, friends and colleagues. It leaves no one untouched and our job is to reach out to this community to increase donor numbers for the South African Bone Marrow Registry.”

To register as a donor, you can call The Sunflower Fund toll-free number, 0800 121 082.

The fund will ensure you meet the criteria, process your Sunflower/South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) registration form and reference number, and direct you to the closest Donor Recruitment Clinic. Two test tubes of blood will be taken. Your blood sample is analysed and added to the national database. The fund pays R2 000 for each test.

SABMR contacts donors within six to eight weeks to donate stem cells if you are a perfect match for a patient.

Fund spokesperson Shelley Windell said there are misconceptions the harvesting of stem cells are painful.

“We are trying hard at debunking the myths, for example, there is no drilling into bones. The actual process to harvest the stem cells is much like a blood 
transfusion.”

Similarly to donating blood or platelets, you will connected to a machine by an intravenous line for four to six hours.

The bone marrow stem cells are filtered out of your blood and your own blood, then returned to you and you are able to go home immediately.

Sunflower Day is part of The Sunflower Fund’s new campaign to replace Bandana Day with a new accessory called the Tube of Hope, or Tope. The Topes are available in small (R20) and large (R25), and are on sale at Pick n Pay, Round Table, selected ICPA pharmacies and online store Zando.

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