South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR)

South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) The SABMR exists to help find matching donors for patients needing a bone marrow transplant and who do not have a match within their own families.

Why do people need bone marrow transplants? Every year, hundreds of South African children and adults with blood diseases such as leukaemia and bone marrow failure are considered for bone marrow transplantation for which a healthy donor is needed. In 30% of cases a suitable donor can be found within the patient's family, usually a brother or sister. For the other 70% of patients, their only hope i

s for the SABMR to find them a matched unrelated donor. How does the SABMR find donors for patients? Patients are not responsible for finding their own unrelated donor. Doctors contact the SABMR to search for donors both in the local and international databases. Currently the SABMR database is approaching 74 000 donors and there are nearly 30 million donors in registries worldwide. Access to this large pool of donors increases the chance of finding a match for a patient. However, finding a suitably matched unrelated donor is a complicated process that takes time, so it's a good idea for the search to be started as soon as possible. Of the patients transplanted to date, for approximately 25%, a South African donor was found; for the remaining patients a donor was found in another country. Once a match has been found, what next? The SABMR works with the transplant centre and the donor centre to schedule the donation. On the scheduled date, the marrow or blood cells are collected and transported from the collection centre to the transplant centre. The SABMR arranges all the logistics to ensure that the cells arrive on time. The precious cells are hand carried by trained, experienced individuals.

Anele Mbatha’s life changed forever when she received a call informing her she was a potential stem cell donor match for...
18/06/2026

Anele Mbatha’s life changed forever when she received a call informing her she was a potential stem cell donor match for a patient in need.

Having witnessed the impact of blood cancer firsthand through her cousin’s battle with a rare blood cancer, Anele knew she had the chance to offer someone hope, and she didn’t hesitate.

What started as a simple decision to register as a stem cell donor became an opportunity to help save a life. Anele embraced the journey with courage and compassion, proving that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.

Her story is a reminder that one selfless decision could mean a second chance at life for someone fighting blood cancer.

You could be someone’s only match. Register today and help save a life.

South Africa’s youth have always been a force for change.This Youth Day, we celebrate young people not only for their co...
16/06/2026

South Africa’s youth have always been a force for change.

This Youth Day, we celebrate young people not only for their courage and passion, but also for their ability to save lives.

Your generation could be someone’s only hope of survival.

Could YOU be the 1 in 100 000?

Register as a stem cell donor today with one easy click: https://sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor/

Today we celebrate the everyday heroes who give others a second chance through donation.On World Blood Donor Day, we are...
14/06/2026

Today we celebrate the everyday heroes who give others a second chance through donation.
On World Blood Donor Day, we are proud to stand alongside the South African National Blood Service and Western Cape Blood Service in raising awareness about the importance of donation and saving lives.

Whether it’s donating blood or registering as a stem cell donor, every act of giving has the power to make a difference.

Thank you to every donor who continues to bring hope to patients across South Africa.

For patients battling blood cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, a stem cell transplant is often their only chan...
10/06/2026

For patients battling blood cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, a stem cell transplant is often their only chance of survival. But before a life-saving transplant can happen, a matching donor must first be found.

Your donation helps the SABMR to continue recruiting new donors and assist patients and their families through our patient assistance programme to cover donor related costs.

Every rand helps bring patients one step closer to a second chance at life. Help us to continue the search for the 1 in 100 00 – donate here now:

Become A Donor Donate Funds Become A Volunteer Shop Donor Exclusion Criteria Your Donation Helps Save Lives Donate Funds Why your donation matters Your donation to the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) gives hope to patients battling blood cancers and disorders – especially the 70% who re...

We always get asked why age matters when signing up as a stem cell donor. Did you know younger stem cell donors often pr...
08/06/2026

We always get asked why age matters when signing up as a stem cell donor.

Did you know younger stem cell donors often provide patients with the best possible transplant outcomes.
Stem cells just like other organs in your body age over time.

That’s why we’re calling on South Africa’s youth to step forward and register as stem cell donors.
Are you the 1 in 100 000 someone is searching for?

When the call came that he could be a potential stem cell donor match for a patient in need, Tristan Brooks didn’t hesit...
05/06/2026

When the call came that he could be a potential stem cell donor match for a patient in need, Tristan Brooks didn’t hesitate to answer it.

What followed was a journey filled with emotion, hope and the realisation that one person has the power to change another person’s life forever. From the important call to the donation process itself, every step was driven by compassion and the desire to give someone a second chance at life.

Tistan's story is a powerful reminder that becoming a stem cell donor is more than just signing up, it’s answering the call to save a life when it matters most.

Somewhere in South Africa a patient is waiting for a stem cell donor match. But finding that match can be as rare as 1 i...
01/06/2026

Somewhere in South Africa a patient is waiting for a stem cell donor match. But finding that match can be as rare as 1 in 100 000.

That’s why we urgently need more young South Africans to step up and join the Registry.

Your registration could mean hope, a second chance or more time for someone fighting blood cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder.

Are YOU the 1 in 100 000?

Register here
https://sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor/

✨ Eid Mubarak from SABMR ✨As we celebrate this special occasion, may this Eid bring peace, joy, and meaningful moments w...
28/05/2026

✨ Eid Mubarak from SABMR ✨

As we celebrate this special occasion, may this Eid bring peace, joy, and meaningful moments with loved ones. May it also remind us of the power of compassion, kindness, and giving back to those in need.

From all of us at SABMR, we wish you brighter days, deeper connections, and countless blessings. 💙

Africa is rich in culture, heritage and diversity and our Registry database should reflect that too. Many patients of co...
25/05/2026

Africa is rich in culture, heritage and diversity and our Registry database should reflect that too. Many patients of colour struggle to find a suitable stem cell match due to a shortage of diverse donors. Together, we can help change that reality.

https://sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor/

Address

J57, Old Outpatient Building Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory
Cape Town
7925

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 16:00
Tuesday 07:30 - 16:00
Wednesday 07:30 - 16:00
Thursday 07:30 - 16:00
Friday 07:30 - 16:00

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