A routine day in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, turned into a life-changing decision for Mfundo Ngwenya, who signed up as a bone marrow stem cell donor at a drive hosted by the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR). He never imagined that, 11 years later, he’d be called to give someone a second chance at life.
Now 30, the gym technician and rugby coach says signing up was instinctive.
“While others think twice about it, organ and stem cell donation has just always made sense to me,” he says.
Already a registered organ donor, Ngwenya didn’t hesitate when SABMR contacted him in May 2021, confirming he was a perfect match for a patient in need.
The donation process wasn’t without challenges. A sporting injury and the recipient’s health delay pushed the date back, but by the end of the year, he was able to donate. Though he couldn’t train due to a five-day course of Neuprogen injections to boost his stem cells, he viewed it as a small sacrifice.
“It is in my nature to extend a helping hand wherever I go, whether through sport or uplifting communities. To make a difference in someone else’s life is just the best feeling in the world.”
Mfundo Ngwenya
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More male donors needed
Ngwenya is, however, one of a few stem cell donors, and the need is great for more people, especially young men, to step forward and save lives.
The SABMR is urgently calling on young men aged 16 to 35 to register as stem cell donors. Despite being the most effective donors, young men make up only 8.9% of the country’s donor registry – a figure far below the global average of 39%. This imbalance is limiting access to life-saving transplants for patients with blood cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma.
Medical research consistently shows that stem cells from younger male donors result in better transplant outcomes, with fewer complications.
“Young male donors are less likely to trigger graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious post-transplant complication,” explains Jane Ward, deputy director for the SABMR.
“Additionally, male donors typically yield a higher volume of stem cells, enhancing the effectiveness of transplants and likelihood of successful engraftment.”
Jane Ward
Another important factor is the biological quality of stem cells. Just like other organs, stem cells age over time, making younger donors more valuable in terms of cell quantity and quality. Men also tend to have fewer pre-existing health conditions, which increases their eligibility to donate.
Recruitment drives across the country
Despite increased awareness efforts, male participation remains low.
“Our donor recruitment teams have been specifically targeting schools, universities, and colleges over the last two years to spread awareness and sign up younger donors, but male representation is still lagging behind,” says Ward. In contrast, the number of young women registering has seen steady growth.
With June marking Youth Month in South Africa, the SABMR is intensifying its focus on recruiting young men. Gaelen Naidoo, donor recruitment supervisor for the SABMR, says, “We will be shifting our focus towards more targeted recruitment efforts specifically during Youth Month directed at young men.”
This month, the SABMR will host seven recruitment drives at universities, high schools, and local venues frequented by youth in Cape Town, the Free State, Johannesburg, and Durban.
“We invite young men to take action by joining recruitment drives or signing up online on our website from the comfort of their homes or offices,” Naidoo adds.
“Registering as a stem cell donor is absolutely free, and all logistics with regards to issuing buccal swab kits and the couriering thereof is taken care of by the SABMR.”
Gaelen Naidoo
Ngwenya believes the lack of black stem cell donors stems from misinformation. “I sat my family down… to explain why I made the decision and what it entailed to allay any fears,” he recalls, emphasising the power of education and open dialogue.
Grateful for the experience, he says, “The gift of life is priceless and if I can give someone another shot at living, it’s only a privilege.”
If you’re between the ages of 16 and 45 and relatively healthy, you may be eligible to become a stem cell donor. To register and view the donor exclusion criteria, visit www.sabmr.co.za.
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