Triathlon for DKMS and Keeping Josh’s Memory alive

After losing her father, Josh McLean-Leonard, to multiple myeloma, 24-year-old Kelly is taking on the Ironman triathlon while raising funds for DKMS Africa and encouraging more South Africans to register as stem cell donors.

Josh’s diagnosis

Josh was diagnosed with blood cancer, multiple myeloma, a moment that changed his family’s world forever.

After a three-year battle, he passed away at just 61 years old, leaving behind his wife Sandra and daughters Kelly and Hannah, as well as a legacy defined by kindness, humour, resilience, and an unwavering love for his family.

“To face a three-year battle with such mental fortitude and grace, especially while navigating his level of pain without complaint, is extraordinary. He left an impression on everyone, but left a lasting legacy through the way he lived his life,” Sandra shares.

Life with Josh

Before his diagnosis in 2021, Josh and his family shared a close bond rooted in laughter, presence, and simple moments together. Friday evenings often meant sitting together listening to music, while family adventures took them to the Kruger National Park, Botswana, and the ocean at Thompson’s Bay.

Behind the joy, however, Josh had quietly lived with physical pain for much of his life. From the age of 12, he experienced severe hip problems and later underwent both hip and knee replacements. Even so, he never stopped finding ways to stay active, turning to swimming and cycling to keep moving forward.

For Kelly and Hannah, he was more than a father. He was their greatest supporter, loudest cheerleader, and safest place.

Reflecting on their journey, Paballo hopes to inspire others to join the registry as stem cell donors to help more children like Neo.

“Life doesn’t wait for anyone,” she says. “But thanks to the kindness of strangers, we’ve been given the gift of time; time to heal, grow, and truly live again. It takes a community to save a life.”

Join the celebration! Encourage your friends to register! Every registration could help other patients like Neo start their journey to recovery too.

“My Dad was everyone’s favourite person. He appreciated the small things in life and wanted the best for everyone around him. A heart full of gold and a belly full of beer,” Hannah says.

“He lived by the saying ‘mind over matter.’ Even when he couldn’t run properly for most of his life, he kept pushing through,” Kelly adds.

Continuing Josh’s legacy

Inspired by her father’s love of sport and his lifelong determination in the face of pain, Kelly committed to completing the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in his honour. For months, she has trained with purpose, carrying his memory through every early morning session, every difficult moment, and every finish line ahead.

“The Ironman journey has become far more than just a race to me. It has helped me navigate the grief of losing my Dad,” Kelly says.

The family is also continuing the awareness work Josh began during his cancer journey.

In 2023, Josh and Sandra created the Instagram page @mylomasemoer to share his experience with multiple myeloma and raise awareness of blood cancer.

Today, Kelly continues that mission through her fundraising efforts for DKMS Africa, encouraging others to register as stem cell donors and help give patients a second chance at life.