Amanda Needs a Lifesaver – You Could Be Her Match
Amanda needs your help! You could be her potential lifesaver!
A grade 11 pupil, Amanda (19), from KwaZulu-Natal, finds herself in a situation no teenager should be in, dealing with a life-threatening diagnosis. Now, her only hope of getting a second chance at life is in finding a potential stem cell match.
Amanda’s journey started in 2019 when her feet kept getting swollen, and she lost her appetite. Other bodily pains presented themselves, with a painful lymph node on her body being the most concerning. It was this, as well as her jaundice, that forced her to seek further medical attention.
Her biopsy results revealed her Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis. Following this, she started chemotherapy and was managing her illness. Because of the aggressive treatment from the onset, Amanda was able to go into remission. That was until earlier this year when she relapsed. Now, Amanda finds herself dealing with the implications of a Relapsed Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis.
The return of her illness has meant dealing with the uncertainty she is faced with. Currently in grade 11, Amanda finds it difficult to cope with her work load at school at times, even though she is grateful that she can still attend. Describing herself as a shy but fun-loving person who loves to laugh and enjoys the company of others, she is hopeful that she will find a match soon.
“It took me so long to finally seek medical care because I downplayed my symptoms at first. I wish I had actually taken my pains more seriously, maybe then I would have been able to get better sooner”, says Amanda.
She urges others to pay attention to any changes to their health, adding:
To help Amanda get her second chance at life, register to become a potential stem cell donor.
Register today as a stem cell donor. Your match could be the one she’s waiting for.
Remember, all costs related to the donation process are taken care of by DKMS Africa. You will not be asked to pay for anything.
