Residents of Soweto will have the opportunity to learn more about blood cancer and support families affected by the disease, as DKMS Africa organizes a public campaign in honor of Mandela Day at Maponya Mall on Friday.
This event is part of a broader campaign aimed at encouraging South Africans to use their 67 minutes to help people suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders who are seeking life-saving stem cell donors.
The DKMS Africa team will engage with community members and leaders at Maponya Mall, raising awareness about the symptoms of blood cancer. These symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained bruises or bleeding, frequent infections, swollen lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, and prolonged fever.
Additionally, the organization will visit the Children's Health Organization of South Africa (CHOC) to deliver aid kits to children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.
For many individuals diagnosed with blood cancer, stem cell transplantation represents the best chance of survival. However, finding a suitable donor remains a significant challenge, especially for patients of African descent, who are underrepresented in global stem cell donor registries.
South Africans can support patients by registering as stem cell donors, returning swab kits if they are already registered, donating blood, volunteering, or helping to spread awareness.
DKMS Africa stated that 'a cheek swab takes only a few minutes, but it can save someone's life once for someone suffering from blood cancer or another blood disorder.'
The organization noted that the return rate for swab kits has dropped from 81% in January to approximately 55% currently, meaning many potential donors have not completed registration.
DKMS Africa emphasized: 'Whether you register as a stem cell donor, return your swab kit, make a financial donation, donate blood, spend time volunteering, or help spread awareness, your contribution brings hope to patients awaiting a second chance at life.'
As part of the celebration of Mandela Day, which is observed annually on July 18th in honor of the life and legacy of the late former president Nelson Mandela, the Sibaya Community Trust in Durban implemented three infrastructure projects.
The South African government declared Mandela Day as a call to action for everyone—people, communities, and organizations—to reflect on Mandela's principles and values. Mandela himself called for the fight against poverty, suffering, and deprivation, stating that 'it is in your hands to make our world better for all, especially for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized.'
The Trust completed these three projects across KwaZulu-Natal, stating that they will directly improve the lives of hundreds of beneficiaries. These include people with disabilities, students with special needs, and cancer patients who require temporary accommodation during treatment.
Vivian Reddy, founder and chairperson of the Sibaya Community Trust, noted that investing in dignity, accessibility, compassion, and hope is a tribute to Madiba's outstanding legacy. One project involved repairing and replacing over twenty windows at the Merewent Cheshire Home, which supports people with disabilities. The Trust also carried out significant renovations and upgrades to this facility, installing steel railings to enhance the safety, accessibility, and mobility of residents.
Furthermore, two new sanitation blocks were built at the West Park Special Needs School. These structures provide safe, accessible, and dignified hygiene conditions for students with various physical and intellectual impairments. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) in Durban received an updated building to house a new six-bed ward. This ward serves as a temporary refuge for cancer patients traveling from remote areas to receive treatment at nearby hospitals.
Reddy emphasized that this compassionate initiative will help alleviate the emotional and financial burden experienced by patients and their families during difficult times. She added that for over two decades, the Sibaya Community Trust has remained true to its mission of transforming lives through sustainable community development. To date, the Trust has invested over 280 million rand in social upliftment initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is appealing to the public to donate blood during the winter months as blood collection decreases in colder weather.
According to WCBS data, since the beginning of winter, stocks of O positive and O negative blood groups have consistently been below the five-day target level, highlighting the urgent need to attract new donors.
In response, the service has launched a winter campaign under the slogan: 'Be brave. Donate blood.' This campaign aims to encourage people to overcome hesitation and take the first step toward becoming blood donors. Many people feel apprehensive about needles, doubt the donation process, or simply postpone it.
According to WCBS, the goal of the campaign is to demonstrate that bravery does not mean the absence of fear, but rather the choice to do something important despite one's own anxieties.
Marike Carly, WCBS Public Relations Manager, noted that winter is traditionally one of the most challenging periods for blood collection due to seasonal illnesses, adverse weather conditions, and reduced donor turnout. Nevertheless, the demand for blood remains stable, as hospitals rely on a constant supply to treat patients recovering from injuries, cancer patients, mothers with complications during childbirth, surgical patients, and many others whose lives depend on blood transfusions.
Carly also stated that WCBS strives to maintain a minimum blood reserve of five days for all groups to ensure the availability of necessary blood in all of the Western Cape hospitals.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that only 0.95% of the Western Cape population are active blood donors. To maintain a sustainable supply, WCBS aims to reach an active donation rate of 1% to 1.2% of the population. WCBS continues to recruit new donors annually, and expanding the base of active donors remains a critical condition for ensuring blood availability to patients at any time.
Carly added that the campaign places special emphasis on young adults and first-time donors, motivating them to make their first contribution and join the community of daily heroes who help ensure blood is available everywhere and always where it is needed.
