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 is 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.

24/10/2025

🎧 Tune in to the latest SBAH Radio Podcast where our own Siphokazi Shabalala joins Olesego Rankatiso to discuss the life-saving importance of stem cell donation. 🌱💙

Learn how becoming a donor can offer someone a second chance at life. 🧬💛

21/10/2025

🧁💙 Cupcake of Hope

What a day filled with sweetness, smiles, and second chances at life! 🌱

Our team joined the incredible Cupcake of Hope event to raise awareness about stem cell donation and inspire new potential donors to register.

Each cupcake represented more than a treat — it symbolised hope for patients still searching for their life-saving match. ✨

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, asked questions, and signed up to be someone’s hero. Together, we’re turning hope into action!

17/10/2025

Thank you to Thomas More College for welcoming us into your space for an awareness and donor drive this week. A shout out to everyone who took the time to learn more about stem cell donation and a big high five to those who took the step to becoming potential life-savers by signing up!

We cannot do what we do without our donors. Today we’re dedicating our did you know to the actual heroes – our donors!
17/10/2025

We cannot do what we do without our donors. Today we’re dedicating our did you know to the actual heroes – our donors!

16/10/2025

Thank you Western Cape Blood Service for such an amazing initiative and for your support 🩵🩵

Meet Obie Walker, 12 years ago her life was saved by a stranger.At 21, she was active, healthy and full of dreams when s...
15/10/2025

Meet Obie Walker, 12 years ago her life was saved by a stranger.

At 21, she was active, healthy and full of dreams when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia which turned her world upside today. According to Obie, months of chemotherapy left her weak and frail, but the love of her family, kept her fighting.

When she learned that she would need a stem cell transplant, none of her family members were suitable matches and a global search by the SABMR was launched. After heartbreaks and a few setbacks, her donor was finally found in Germany.

Today she celebrates 12 ‘rebirthdays,’ a life filled with love, a career, and marriage.

“Words will never be enough to thank my donor, who selflessly gave me life without even knowing me. Soon, after almost 13 years, I’ll get to meet her a moment I’ve dreamed of for so long.
I share my story to remind you: every person who joins the stem cell registry has the power to save a life. Someone like you could be the hope someone like me is waiting for.”

Our digital home has been upgraded, and we have a new look! Head over to www.sabmr.co.za to learn more about becoming a ...
13/10/2025

Our digital home has been upgraded, and we have a new look! Head over to www.sabmr.co.za to learn more about becoming a stem cell donor, how your financial donation can make a difference and get to know our donors and patients.

We’re kicking off our “Did You Know” series with a few facts on the SABMR that you may not have known. Today, we’re foc...
10/10/2025

We’re kicking off our “Did You Know” series with a few facts on the SABMR that you may not have known. Today, we’re focussing on stem cell collections.

06/10/2025

We’d like to convey our heartfelt thanks to the team at Voys SA and the The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel for making the Proof of Life: The Power of One Match event a huge success. The teams sponsored, catered and hosted the event for donors and patients who shared their journeys to inspire and encourage stem cell donations.

Without your support and commitment, this would not be possible!

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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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