Sunflower Month 2026
We need YOUR help this Sunflower Month!
Every September, DKMS Africa marks Sunflower Month to shine a light on the power of hope. That hope came to life through the story of Lydia and Petro. Two strangers whose lives connected through the power of a swab, which is the first step in finding a matching stem cell donor.
Behind every potential stem cell donor is the possibility of a life changed. For patients like Lydia, finding a matching donor meant the chance to grow, return to school and embrace her future, but that journey was not easy.
Diagnosed at just four months old with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, Lydia’s young age and the nature of her illness meant that a stem cell transplant offered her a chance at recovery.
"When Lydia was diagnosed, our whole world changed," recalls her mother, Estelle. “Lydia developed serious infections, spent time in intensive care after contracting pneumonia."
After months of searching, Lydia’s family received a call to say a match had been found. However, before the transplant could take place, the donor withdrew from the donation process and the search had to begin again.
"This broke my heart, but we had to allow ourselves to heal," says Estelle. "When we were told the donor had withdrawn, it felt like we were back at the beginning again and that was painful."
While Lydia’s family continued their search, Petro was attending a routine appointment at a hospital in Centurion. In the waiting room, Petro noticed a young girl receiving treatment. After finding what happened and what was needed, Petro went onto register as a stem cell donor with DKMS Africa. Little did she know that she would become the match that Lydia had been waiting for.
Why We Celebrate Sunflower Day
Sunflower Month is more than an awareness campaign. It is a reminder that every registration has the potential to save a life.
The sunflower has long been associated with hope through the legacy of The Sunflower Fund, established in 1999 following the journeys of Darren Serebro and Chris Corlett, two young South Africans diagnosed with leukaemia. During his treatment, Chris painted the Sunflowers of Hope painting, a lasting reminder of their shared hope that more patients could find a matching donor.
Long Before the Phone Call
Petro's journey did not begin when she received a call telling her she was a match. It began the day she chose to register.
Every stem cell donor starts their journey with a cheek swab. That sample is collected, processed and tissue typed before it is added to the DKMS Africa stem cell registry, where it can be searched for when a patient needs a matching donor. This work is made possible through the generosity of individuals, companies and communities who support DKMS Africa's mission.
Your support helps fund donor registrations, process swab kits and grow a diverse stem cell donor registry, giving more patients a better chance of finding the one person who could save their life.
How You Can Help:
- Donate Financially: Make a donation to help fund donor registrations and the processing of swab kits.
- Register as a Stem Cell Donor: By registering, you join a global community of potential lifesavers. You could be the match that gives someone a second chance at life.
- Spread the Word: Share the message and encourage your friends, family and community to learn more about stem cell donation.