Bone marrow stem cell donation works a little differently from organ and tissue donation, and many people know less about it. A stem cell transplant replaces diseased or damaged blood-forming cells with healthy ones. It is the primary treatment for certain blood cancers, including leukaemia, and is increasingly recognised as a possible path to cure for other serious conditions. The WHO notes that more than 1.5 million patients have undergone this type of transplant, with growing recognition of its potential beyond leukaemia treatment, including for genetic conditions that previously had very limited treatment options. 

For someone waiting for a stem cell transplant, finding a compatible donor can take months, and unfortunately some patients never find a match. Compatibility is determined by tissue type, and the best match is often someone from the same ethnic background. In South Africa, where the donor registry is still growing, there is a real need for more registered donors, particularly from underrepresented communities. 

The encouraging news is that the donation process is often much simpler than people expect. In most cases, stem cells are collected from the bloodstream rather than directly from the bone marrow, through a process similar to donating blood plasma. Donors receive medication beforehand to encourage stem cell production, and the collection itself usually takes just a few hours. Recovery is generally quick.