SA MEDICAL JOURNAL

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ADVERTORIAL

THIRTY YEARS OF SAVING LIVES: South African Bone Marrow Registry in 2021

INTRODUCTION The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is the first unrelated stem cell donor registry to be established on the African continent following an initiative by Professors Peter Jacobs and Ernette du Toit. Following acceptance into the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) in 1991, it has followed the principles of donor management and matching international standards recommended by the WMDA.

EARLY DAYS OF MATCHING DONORS TO PATIENTS While the use of an unrelated stem cell donor was reported by Speck et al, as early as 1973, the obstacles to offering this as a routine treatment option seemed enormous. Shirley Nolan is credited with igniting the establishment of stem cell donor registries when her son Anthony required a bone marrow transplant and she formed the UK charity, Anthony Nolan, the world’s first stem cell register. HLA matching is critical when selecting the best donor for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However the HLA system is highly polymorphic, thus for patients who did not have a suitable match in the family, that a random stranger could provide this life-saving treatment seemed impossible. Today, the use of unrelated stem cell donors has, in the correct clinical setting, become a safe and routine option for patient treatment with the SABMR playing a key role in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in South Africa.

GLOBAL COOPERATION: GLOBAL STANDARDS: World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) The aim of the WMDA is to provide a standardised platform for the operation of stem cell donor registries with the dual management of unrelated stem cell donors as well as the transfer of products from the donor centre to the transplant centre. In 2004, the first standards for stem cell donor registries were publishedand the first donor registries were accredited. After obtaining Qualification Status in 2016, SABMR proudly achieved Full Accreditation Status in 2018. In doing so, SABMR became the first registry to do this in the minimum time frame permitted by the WMDA. Speaking at the award ceremony, Lydia Foeken, Executive Director of the WMDA said “This shows their dedication and determination to show the world they are true examples of excellent care.”

“THEY ARE TRUE EXAMPLES OF EXCELLENT CARE” OUR SERVICES Patient Services SABMR interacts daily with oncologists and haematologists. Initially, a preliminary search is performed in both the SABMR and International databases (via the WMDA’s Search and Match service). When the medical team decides to proceed, the search is formally activated and once a suitable donor

has been identified, the SABMR arranges the transportation of the donor stem cells directly from the donor, anywhere in the world to the transplant centre.

Donor Services New donors are constantly being recruited to increase the SABMR’s donor database to help more patients find matches. New donors are asked to provide a buccal swab through one of our many partners throughout South Africa. When a potential match is found, SABMR coordinates further testing to confirm the donor typing. The SABMR makes all the arrangements for the donor, including transport and accommodation if needed and at no cost to the donor. During the donation, a staff member stays with the donor throughout the donation to make sure the donor is comfortable and cared for. After the donation, the SABMR provides post-donation care and a ten year follow up programme.

Patient Assistance Programme This programme assists patients who cannot afford the costs of an unrelated donor. For these patients, SABMR coordinates the Search, Verification Testing and Procurement of a donor at no cost to the patient or their family.

International Family Assistance Programme This programme helps to coordinate stem cell collections from family donors for patients who are being transplanted outside of South Africa. Many donors are from African countries whose family member is living overseas.

South African Bone Marrow Registry, PO Box 13353, Mowbray, 7705, Cape Town

sabmr.co.za

CONTACT US patients@sabmr.co.za/donors@sabmr.co.za OR +27214478638


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