A stranger gave Keamogetswe a second chance at life
At just 11 years old, Keamogetswe was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells. What followed was a challenging journey marked by regular blood transfusions, repeated hospital visits and uncertainty about what the future would hold.
His mother, Salome, recalls that the first signs that something was wrong appeared when Keamogetswe began experiencing severe bleeding episodes. Although doctors initially treated the bleeding, the symptoms returned within days. In 2024, Keamogetswe developed a severe infection after returning from a trip to Polokwane and was admitted to hospital. As his condition worsened, weeks of treatment turned into months of uncertainty. He became dependent on regular blood transfusions, often requiring them weekly, while his weakened immune system left him increasingly vulnerable to infections. Concerned about her son’s deteriorating health, Salome continued seeking answers until further tests eventually revealed the cause.
After months of treatment and regular transfusions, the family finally received the news they had been hoping for. In January 2025, Salome received a life-changing phone call: a potential matching stem cell donor had been found for her son.
Although a matching donor had been identified, Keamogetswe still had to undergo further tests and procedures before the transplant could take place. He went on to receive his stem cell transplant and successfully passed the critical first 100 days of recovery.
Keamogetswe is now doing well. His hospital visits have reduced significantly, he is attending school more regularly, and his family is finally beginning to experience a sense of normality again.
For Salome, the difference is something she sees every day.
“When I look at him now, I see a future,” she says. “I see him growing up, going to school and having opportunities that once felt uncertain. That is a gift I will never stop being grateful for.”
Behind that future is someone Keamogetswe and his family may never meet: the person who made the decision to register as a potential stem cell donor.
If you are between 17 - 55 and in good health, you can make a difference today. Register and help give patients a second chance at life.
Remember, all costs related to the donation process are taken care of by DKMS Africa.
