You could be the match: Two families plead for lifesaving stem cell donors
Two South African families are urgently seeking stem cell donors to save the lives of their loved ones, Oyintando (left) and Zachary (right), who are battling rare and life-threatening medical conditions.
Image: Supplied / DKMS
IN A HEART-wrenching appeal, two families in South Africa are seeking potentially lifesaving stem cell donors for their loved ones.
Oyintando, a two-year-old toddler, and Zachary, a 21-year-old university student, are both in dire need of a stem cell transplant to survive.
Oyintando was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder that weakens the immune system and affects blood clotting. Despite ongoing treatment, his family is struggling to cope with the financial burden of his regular hospital visits.
Zachary, on the other hand, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia, a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells. He requires weekly transfusions and multiple rounds of medication, but none of his family members is a donor match.
You could be the match
According to Palesa Mokomele, head of community engagement and communications at DKMS Africa, both Oyintando and Zachary urgently need stem cell transplants, and their survival depends on the generosity of others.
Registering as a stem cell donor is free and simple, and individuals between the ages of 17 and 55 in good health can register at https://www.dkms-africa.org/save-lives.
The families are counting on the kindness of strangers to give their loved ones a second chance at life. By registering as a stem cell donor, individuals can potentially change the story of Oyintando and Zachary and give them a fighting chance to live a normal life.