iAfrica 2 months ago 2 min read
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An ethnically diverse registry is key to helping those in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant
Stem cell transplants are effective in curing over 70 diseases including leukaemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anaemia. While 77 000 stem cell donors are registered in South Africa, efforts are underway to create awareness to educate the South African public to register to become donors. Every year on 14 February, South Africa commemorates National Donor Day.
National Donor Day is a global initiative to create awareness on all types of donations and provides an opportunity to focus on those who are donors and have given the gift of life.
Sunflower Fund hopes for more ethnically diverse stem-cell donors
By Shakirah Thebus
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Cape Town - The Sunflower Fund partnered by international non-profit DKMS (We Delete Blood Cancer), aims to register 15Â 000 new donors this year, in a bid to increase and create a more ethnically diverse donor registry and inevitably save more lives.
The Sunflower Fund partnered by DKMS is appealing to South Africans between the ages of 18 to 55 years and in general good health to register to become a stem-cell donor.
Sunday was not just a day entirely dedicated to love, but was also National Donor Day.
National Donor Day covers all types of donations and is part of a larger global campaign to raise awareness on the benefits of becoming a donor, and to focus on those who are changing and saving lives through donorship.
Jacksonville man in need of 2 organ transplants opens up about importance National Donor Day
Feb. 14 is also National Donor Day
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Valentine’s Day is a day we show love, but it’s also National Donor Day.
A 65-year-old Jacksonville man who is in need of two organ transplants spoke with News4Jax on Sunday about the importance of National Donor Day.
“To heighten awareness. On your driver’s license, there’s a box to check to say you want to be a donor. What you’re doing is offering someone that is in need of organs a chance to assume a regular life,” Chuck Vaughn said.
Become a lifesaver : Versiti Blood Center encouraging donations during Black History Month cbs58.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbs58.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
As National Donor Day approaches, Virginia comedian and transplant recipient speaks out
and last updated 2021-02-11 18:28:37-05
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. â Sunday, February 14 is not just Valentineâs Day; itâs National Donor Day.
Lifenet Health, based in Virginia Beach, is the worldâs largest provider of transplant solutions, according to Executive Vice President Doug Wilson. In 2020, Lifenet Health coordinated 616 organ transplants which is a record number.
âConsidering the pandemic was going on most of last year, we were really gratified to see that we could transplant so many patients,â Wilson stated.
The statistics may seem grim, but Wilson says COVID-19 is not making waiting lists longer.