Make critical stem cell donation your business

Africans poorly represented on donor registry

- By Mzwandile kaBizokwakhe

A local medical aid scheme has urged more businesses to encourage their employees to consider being stem cell donors ahead of Sunflower Day on September 19.

According to DKMS, an international nonprofit for the eradication of blood disorders, it uses the day to raise awareness and funds for stem cell donors, and provides a chance at a lifesaving transplant for patients battling blood cancers and other blood disorders.

CEO of local health provider Affinity Health Murray Hewlett said black Africans are among the populations critically underrepresented on global donor registries, and they are needed to broaden the pool of donors among this ethnic group.