Oyintando is a brave two-year-old carrying a burden no child ever should. He’s been in and out of hospital as he courageously endures a genetic disorder that requires the selfless help of another to light his path forward.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (22 May 2025) – One little boy named Oyintando is carrying a heavy and painful burden that he shouldn’t have to and he desperately needs a hero to offer him a glimmer of hope.

In 2023, after terrifying symptoms including vomiting blood, Oyintando’s grandmother rushed him to the hospital, where he was admitted and stayed for a month.

However, with no improvement, he was taken to a different hospital. More tests were done, and doctors pieced together the puzzle of his suffering. Still battling with vomiting blood, Oyintando was eventually diagnosed with CMV (Cytomegalovirus) and began treatment.

After spending six weeks in the hospital, the two-year-old boy was discharged and given a follow-up appointment, where a doctor referred him to another hospital for further investigation.

It was there that Oyintando finally received his full and accurate diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a terrifying moment for his mother, who had already lost another child showing similar symptoms, as Oyintando DKMS Africa states. This a rare immunodeficiency disorder.

While Oyintando’s condition has vastly improved since then and he gets to play with kids his own age from time to time, he still attends regular hospital appointments, which have become a financial strain for his mother.

“I just want my child to get a donor so that we can live a normal life,” Bonakele tells DKMS.

The resilient toddler remains in need of a blood stem cell transplant, which will greatly help him get back to doing what kids do: play, learn and explore.

DKMS Africa is championing this little boy’s recovery, and others like him, by appealing for more and more people to consider registering as blood stem cell donors. The donation process costs are entirely covered by DKMS Africa.

You can register to be a potential donor via the website here. For more information, email Nockey Mkhize at Nockey.Mkhize@dkms-africa.org or call 0800 121 082.

Sources: DKMS Africa

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Leo Parker, the brave little lion fighting one of the rarest conditions on Earth, has finally found his lifesaving match.

South Africa (24 April 2025) – “It’s a perfect match!”… and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

After months of uncertainty, late nights filled with prayers and tireless hope echoing through hospital hallways and Facebook updates, Andrew and Tarryn Parker finally shared the news we’ve all been holding our breath for: a perfect stem cell donor has been found for their baby boy, Leo.

And just like that, the world got a little brighter.

Leo Parker, who we introduced you to in March, is no ordinary baby. At just 8 months old, he’s endured more medical challenges than most adults will face in a lifetime. Born with MECOM-associated syndrome, a condition so rare it’s barely recognised in global medical circles, Leo’s tiny body has been bravely battling complete bone marrow failure.

The simplest way to explain it (in the words of his incredible mom, who’s also a doctor) is that Leo’s “bone factory” isn’t working. The parts are faulty, and as a result, it’s not producing red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. That means no oxygen flow, no infection fighters, no way for wounds to heal. Leo has been relying on regular transfusions just to stay alive, while facing daily risks most of us couldn’t begin to imagine.

But now, that narrative is shifting… because Leo has a match.

In a Facebook post on 23 April, the Parkers wrote:

“After months of prayers, searching, and uncertainty… our hope has arrived. A perfect stem cell donor has been found for our precious son, Leo! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you… you’ve played a part in this miracle.”

They’re right, it is a miracle. But it’s also a reflection of something bigger: a community rallying together, complete strangers swabbing their cheeks and registering with DKMS in the hopes of being someone’s second chance.

And Leo’s story isn’t just about medical science or matched DNA , t’s about courage. His nickname, “the little lion,” couldn’t be more fitting. His smile, despite everything, has lit up rooms and social media feeds, inspiring thousands to register and take action. His story has reminded us of the power we all hold, the power to literally save lives.

The journey isn’t over, in fact, the hardest part still lies ahead. But this? This is the moment everything changed. Leo now has a fighting chance, and that changes everything.

To the Parker family, your courage is contagious.

To Leo, the littlest warrior with the loudest roar, we’re all cheering you on.

And to every person who swabbed, shared, supported or simply held this family in their hearts… you didn’t just raise awareness. You helped save a life.

Let’s not stop here. There are still children out there waiting for their miracle. You can be someone’s match. Visit dkms-africa.org and be the reason hope rises again.

Because today, hope found its voice. And it roared.

Sources: Andrew and Tarryn Parker

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The RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club turned a major sporting event into a powerful platform to raise awareness and rally to find a stem cell donor for Linemihle, a teen battling Fanconi Anaemia.

Cape Town, South Africa (15 April 2025) – After learning about a brave girl’s battle with a Fanconi Anaemia diagnosis, members of the RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club rose together as one, determined to champion 13-year-old Linemihle’s fight and ensure she receives the lifeline she so urgently requires.

The club partnered with DKMS Africa at the recent Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) to raise awareness for Linemihle’s condition and rally to find her a matching stem cell donor – her only chance at survival.

The Gugulethu-based running club made it their personal mission to call upon the broader athletics community and stakeholders present at the annual marathon to register as stem cell donors and to join the fight against blood cancer and other disorders.

“While we are rooted in Gugulethu and actively cultivating meaningful connections in the community, our channels for raising blood cancer and disorder awareness extend beyond our community as blood cancer and disorders affect all of us regardless of our social status,” said RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club Chairperson, Aubrey Shoko.

Fanconi Anaemia (FA) affects the bone marrow and many other parts of the body. It affects 1 in 160,000 people globally. For many diagnosed patients, blood stem cells are one possible form of treatment – and often the only chance of a cure.

“Athletes must rally behind patients diagnosed with blood cancer and disorders”, he continued.

With Black, Coloured, Indian, and Asian patients having a 19% chance of finding a stem cell or bone marrow match and a second chance at life, the club’s heartfelt effort emphasised the importance of having a diverse donor registry, especially because a patient is most likely to match with someone of the same ethnic group.

Acknowledging the chairperson’s sentiments, Palesa Mokomele, Head of Corporate Communications and Community, said:

“Similarly, DKMS Africa actively engages with multiple cultures in various communities. The collaboration will help us to register more diverse potential donors so that patients who need a blood stem cell donor can find their match.

“Additionally, the Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) is a well-known and well-attended athletics event thus positioned to further drive blood cancer and disorders educational and awareness initiatives on a significant scale.”

Sources: Supplied

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Little Leo Parker is fighting a most rare fight at only 8 months old with a genetic disorder of which there are only just over 20 known cases in the world. The good news is that he can be cured should he find the correct donor (who might just be reading this right now).

Cape Town, South Africa (03 March 2025) — Little Leo Parker is fighting a most rare fight.

At just 8-months-old, Leo has already seen more medical specialists than most will see in a lifetime. Blood tests, transfusions, x-rays and procedures in abundance; for the little boy, these have all already been recurring characters in his life and his introduction to the world.

Leo has MECOM-associated syndrome. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s because it’s extremely rare. So rare that the geneticist Leo’s parents took him to hadn’t heard of it. It is so rare that there are only an estimated 23 known cases in the world, including Leo.

Leo’s parents share that the disorder causes complete bone marrow failure. To explain what the disorder impacts in simple terms, his mom, Tarryn Parker (a doctor herself), broke things down in the same way that she did to help her older son understand.

Essentially, Leo’s ‘bone factory’ (which produces the cells his blood needs) is defective. As such, the ‘factory’s’ parts are not working correctly, and the cells needed are not being produced.

As such, Leo’s bone marrow is no longer producing red (oxygen-carrying) and white blood cells (infection fighting) or platelets (which help wounds heal and bleeding stop).

“He is reliant on regular blood transfusions to prevent him from having a life-threatening bleed and is at constant risk of severe infection,” his parents explain.

The good news is that Leo can be cured. The hard news is, this is entirely dependent on finding the correct donor match.

“Leo’s only chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant,” his parents share, adding that there are currently no suitably matched donors on any national or international registries.

“This journey has been devastating and heartbreaking and we are pleading for your help.”

The Mighty Mack army has come together to stand behind the Parkers in their search for a match.

Like Leo’s parents, they are urging everyone who can to register as a bone marrow donor with DKMS and give Leo the chance at life.

Registering

Registering is nowhere near as complicated or time-consuming as one might assume. Good Things Guy’s Tyler has shared her own experience (which you can find here) for those who are curious about this initial step.

If you are between the ages of 18 – 55 and in general good health, you can request a swab kit at dkms-africa.org.

The Process

If you are a match, DKMS will contact you to begin the next steps. This includes a health check (where it’ll be confirmed whether you are the best match), followed by a peripheral blood stem cell donation (this is not a surgery) and then the bone marrow donation, which is a different procedure. You can find out more here. 

The more people who register, the more the odds lean in Leo’s favour.

Sources: Email Submission

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Charities need marketing too so when DKMS Africa heard they got named as a qualifier at the Marketing Achievement Awards, they were overjoyed!

South Africa (16 February 2025) – DKMS Africa made history at the Marketing Achievement Awards earning qualifier status for 2025. The non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders is the first non-profit organisation to achieve the qualifier status as an independent entrant.

In addition, the qualifier status marks the first time the organisation’s marketing campaigns receive recognition from the marketing community at an award level.

DKMS is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting blood cancer. Founded in 1991 by Dr. Peter Harf, it now has offices in Germany, the US, Poland, the UK, Chile, and South Africa, making the fight against blood cancer a global one.

DKMS is also heavily involved in medicine and science, with its own research unit focused on continually improving patient survival and recovery rates. In its high-performance laboratory, the DKMS Life Science Lab, the organisation sets worldwide standards in the typing of potential blood stem cell donors.

For the local and lekker South African team, they achieved qualifier status in three categories, namely, Excellence in Integrated Marketing, Excellence in Purpose-led Marketing, and Excellence in Resourceful Marketing. The qualifier status underscores the powerful impact of marketing in raising awareness, fostering education, and driving action to potentially save the lives of patients awaiting a stem cell transplant.

The Head of Corporate Communications and Community Engagement, Palesa Mokomele, shared the team’s joy.

“In a country where blood cancer and disorders continue to affect thousands, our innovative approach to marketing has proven instrumental in educating the public about the critical need for stem cell donors. In leveraging targeted campaigns, we’ve reached diverse audiences, ensuring that information about registering as a stem cell donor reaches those who can make a life-saving difference.”

Blood cancer and disorder patients have a 1 in 100 000 chance of finding their perfect match. Thus, DKMS Africa has tirelessly worked over the past three years to ensure there are more potential stem cell donors available on the stem cell registry for patients to reach transplant.

“Effective, purposeful marketing plays a vital role in ensuring our message gets to the right people at the right time. Through strategic marketing efforts, we’ve increased our understanding of stem cell donation, dispelling myths and addressing concerns in addition to highlighting the urgent need for a diverse donor pool. Every new registration brings hope to those battling blood-related diseases, and our outreach efforts are helping to secure a better future for patients across South Africa,” added Mokomele.

As DKMS Africa continues to educate, inspire, and mobilize, the Marketing Achievement Awards qualifier status serves as a reminder of the power of marketing in shaping a healthier, more connected society. The fight against blood cancer is far from over, but with sustained awareness and the support of committed donors, we are making a difference in potential donors at a time.

Sources: DKMS – Supplied

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In an Op-Ed by DKMS Africa, the organisation shares how South African businesses could make a greater contribution to health causes through Corporate Social Investment.

South Africa (28 November 2024) – Every day, approximately 120 South Africans register as potential stem cell donors, providing a lifeline to the 19,000+ patients currently living with blood cancers and disorders who require a transplant for survival.

While this process is free for individuals, each registration incurs a cost of around R2,500 for non-profits working to grow and diversify the local registry, which brings to light the pressing need for corporate social investment (CSI) to drive impact and save lives.

This is according to Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa, who explains that these costs rise further when organisations also cover expenses associated with blood stem cell donations, including travel, meals, accommodation, and medical visits.

“Yet, South African companies allocate a mere 6% of their CSI budgets to the health sector, despite 79% viewing CSI as a moral imperative. By contrast, in the United States, health services receive the largest average share at 25%. To compound matters, the number of South African businesses supporting health has decreased by 12% year-on-year.”

Of the limited funds available, she points out that primary healthcare consistently receives the largest share (81%), while secondary healthcare and tertiary healthcare receive significantly less—just 8% and 7%, respectively.

“Unfortunately, while tertiary healthcare is where patients get the specialised care they need, spending in this area has been reduced by 50%.”

Another critical area – healthcare education, training, and capacity building – has seen a 48% decrease in funding.

“Education about blood cancers and blood disorders along with their treatment must also be prioritised within the private sector,” notes Mokomele.

She highlights that the private sector’s contribution is vital if South Africa is to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing by 2030, especially in meeting the target of significantly increasing health financing.

“Moreover, this involvement could drive much-needed improvements in the country’s health sector.”

“Nobody with a blood cancer or blood disorder should die because they are unable to find a matching stem cell donor. As businesses prepare for the new financial year, we call for their support in continuing our efforts to register as many potential donors as possible, ensuring that, one day, a match can be found for everyone in need. Together, we can make this a reality. The more companies and organisations contribute, the more lives we can save,” concludes Mokomele.

To find out how your organisation can get involved visit www.dkms-africa.org or email fundraising@dkms-africa.org.

DKMS is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer. It was founded in Germany in 1991 by Dr. Peter Harf and DKMS, together with the organisation’s over 1,200 employees, and has since relentlessly pursued the aim of giving as many patients as possible a second chance at life. With over 12 million registered donors, DKMS has succeeded in doing this more than 115,000 times to date by providing blood stem cell donations to those in need.

This accomplishment has led to DKMS becoming the global leader in the facilitation of unrelated blood stem cell transplants. The organisation has offices in Germany, the US, Poland, the UK, Chile, and South Africa.

Sources: Various – Linked Above

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With a heart full of compassion, Theresa registered as a potential stem cell donor by chance after attending an event, never dreaming of the profound impact her decision would have on a desperate patient months later.

Cape Town, South Africa (17 October 2024) – Theresa never imagined that a simple act of curiosity at a Cape Town Carols event in 2022 would lead to her saving a life.

Theresa, a Cape Town mom of twins, met a donor recruiter from DKMS Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to saving lives through blood stem cell donations.

Far from the stressful process she’d imagined it would be, Theresa was put at ease about what being a stem cell donor entailed and went ahead to put her name down.

A few months after registering, Theresa was found to be a match for a patient in need of a life-saving transplant- a call she answered with no hesitation, DKMS shares.

Expressing excitement and gratitude at finding out she was a perfect match for a patient, her message to other potential donors is simple:

“Someone out there is waiting on you, and you could be their only hope. It’s an easy process, far easier than you’d expect. The idea of helping someone in such a simple way made the decision effortless,” she shares.

A blood cancer diagnosis is a shock and often marks the start of a race against time. Many patients’ only chance of survival is to find a matching blood stem cell donor as fast as possible.

“In a world where we should all look out for each other, this is a great way to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, and their family,”  compassionate Theresa adds.

DKMS encourages individuals aged 17 to 55 to register and help patients in need. For more information, visit dkms-africa.org or call 0800 12 10 82.

Sources: DKMS

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You can offer a sunflower of hope this September to patients facing blood cancer or blood disorders.

South Africa (09 September 2024) – Every year during the month of September, DKMS Africa commemorates Sunflower Month which has been a symbol of hope for stem cell patients for over 30 years.

Each year, over 7,300 South Africans are diagnosed with blood cancer or blood disorders, and their best chance at survival is a stem cell transplant.

“This September, help us make a difference by making a monetary contribution towards our cause to help us register more stem cell donors,” the charity appealed.

A young 13-year-old Siphesihle from Chatsworth who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is just one example of many patients in urgent need of a stem cell donor to continue living a healthy life.

His mother first noticed that her son developed a persistent flu, which was soon followed by excessive vomiting. Shortly after a check-up at their local clinic in May this year, Siphesihle’s condition seemingly worsened, forcing her to take him out of his Grade 7 class. He has spent most of his time being treated in the hospital.

“I just want to see my son grow into the young man I see him becoming, regaining his strength and doing good for himself,” shared Silindile, Siphesihle’s mother.

DKMS encourages people to register to become stem cell donors through their website or to educate others about the importance of stem cell donation and encourage them to get involved.

“The more people who know about the cause, the more lives we can potentially save.”

Donating not only supports a life-saving cause but also offers potential tax benefits, with reductions available under Section 18A of the Income Tax Act.

Be a beacon of hope and get involved by visiting GivenGain or calling 021 701 0661 to make a difference!

Sources: DKMS Africa

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Having written about so many South Africans needing stem cells to fight blood disorders, I felt it was time to take the plunge and register myself. This was my experience:

South Africa (21 September 2024) – This morning, I got an email from DKMS Africa confirming that my donor registration had taken the next step in the process – my swabs are off to Germany to be tested and catalogued – I am on my way to being a donor, maybe… I thought I would share the experience so you know first-hand what the process is.

I kept meaning to register over the past few years, but it would slip my mind, and then months would pass. When we would feature another story on Good Things Guy, I would rush to go do it and then get pulled somewhere else and miss the chance – you know, life just kept happening. Thankfully, in late November 2023, I finally had a moment to sit in front of my laptop and start the initial registration process, and it turns out, it was simpler than I thought!

This is my experience of trying to become a Registered Stem Cell Donor.

I will share all the information on how to register below. I followed the same steps to check my eligibility. Firstly, do you live in South Africa? Yes! Okay, next step. Have you registered for any other stem cell registries? This was my first time, so on to the next step. This is where you start filling in all your personal information.

You will need to read through a medical conditions list just to make sure you qualify. Some big disqualifiers include Hepatitis C, HTLV or HIV, obesity, cancer (even if you are now cancer-free), and so many more.

You then need to share your weight and height, so make sure you have a scale and a good idea of how tall (or short – that’s me, I’m the short one) you are.

After all these prompts, you will be told if you are eligible to register or not.

The next step is to share your name, surname, contact info, and ID number. This starts the process of requesting your swab kit, which will be delivered to an address of your choosing.

The courier company will reach out within 5 to 10 days after registering, to confirm an address for delivery of your swab kit. Mine was in my hand the very next week. At the same time my kit arrived, the Good Things Guy team started winding down for 2023, and we closed our laptops for the year. So I popped it on my printer and accidentally forgot about it.

I got a call a few days before Christmas, from the courier company, asking if I was ready for them to collect my Swab Kit. I absolutely was! They agreed to collect it on the 27th of December, 2023. So a turnaround of 3 weeks in total. Considering it was the festive season, I figured that was really good!

The kit came with very clear instructions, three swabs, and the things needed to return the kit to the courier (which had already been pre-filled). The whole process of doing the swabs took about 5 minutes. It is important to note that you shouldn’t eat, drink or smoke for at least 10 minutes before doing your swabs, so it is probably best to do it first thing in the morning – that is when I did it.

Also, keep an empty glass nearby to let your swabs air-dry before you package them up. This is important, and it prevents the swab heads from touching any surfaces. After 2 minutes, you can put them in their envelope and follow the instructions to package them up.

As I mentioned, today my kit is on its way to Germany, where it will be processed, and all going well – in 6 to 8 weeks, I will know if I am finally on the lifesaving database. They will confirm via email.

The entire process was so simple! And bar a little effort on my side, such a quick way to give back to someone in need. I would 100% recommend it.

I will be sure to keep you updated on how things go; if I get to donate, I will absolutely share that process, too! Fingers crossed!

How to register

If you are between the ages of 18 – 55 and in general good health, request a swab kit at dkms-africa.org. It starts with a swab, and it ends with saving a life!

There are other ways to support blood cancer and blood disorder patients if you are not eligible to donate stem cells. You can help DKMS Africa spread awareness, host donor drives, contribute financially or order and distribute swab kits to your network. You can find out more here.

Sources: DKMS Africa

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Opinion: What Happened When I Registered to Be A Stem Cell Donor in SA? appeared first on Good Things Guy.

DKMS Africa is working to build up a diverse register for stem-cell donors in South Africa – Of all the swab kits sent out this year, only 61% have been returned; they are encouraging outstanding swab kits to be returned.

South Africa (14 November 2023) – If you registered to be a potential stem-cell donor with DKMS Africa this year, but have not yet sent your swab kit back, now is the time. Of all the swab kits sent out this year, only 61% have been returned. Returning yours could be the step needed to save a life.

“ONLY 61% of the swab kits we sent out this year have been returned. This means that a significant number of swab kits are still out there, waiting to find their way back to us.

Please, send us a direct message with your full name and contact number, and our dedicated Donor Recruitment Team will coordinate the collection process.

It’s never too late to help save a life!”

DKMS Africa, formally known as The Sunflower Fund, aims to build a strong donor base in South Africa. DKMS has a footprint in India, Germany, the USA, Poland, UK, Chile and South Africa. In its three-decade existence, the organisation has registered more than 10.7 million donors and has one of the most diverse donor pools in the world.

If you have not registered, you can find out more below.

How to register

DKMS has registered over 10.5 million donors globally and facilitated more than 91,000 transplants; this means 91,000-second chances of life for patients suffering from a life-threatening blood disorder.

Having more donors improves the chances that a patient will be able to find their match. Getting more people to register means correcting longstanding misconceptions about what it means to be a bone marrow donor. Being a donor is not as painful, invasive or permanent as many people believe.

If you are between the ages of 18 – 55 and in general good health, request a swab kit at dkms-africa.org. It starts with a swab, and it ends with saving a life!

There are other ways to support blood cancer and blood disorder patients if you are not eligible to donate blood stem cells. You can help DKMS Africa spread awareness, host donor drives, contribute financially and order and distribute swab kits to your network. You can find out more here.

Sources: DKMS

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The post DKMS Share of All the Swab Kits Sent Out in 2023 Only 61% Have Been Returned appeared first on Good Things Guy.