From The Field To A Life-Saver: Meet Jaco, A Stem Cell Donor!

But before becoming a donor, Jaco admitted that he hadn’t been clued up the significance of the process. “I never realised how much someone’s life can depend on finding a donor until I saw my friend struggle. I didn’t even know how easy it was to register as a stem cell donor because I was filled with so many misconceptions about the process,” he said.

Fast forward to 2022, and Jaco was found to be a match for a patient in need and reflecting on the moment, he shared: “When I heard I was a match, I felt emotional and grateful that I could make a real difference in someone’s life. Seeing my best friend’s life saved made me realise how crucial it is to be a donor. It motivated me to do the same, and ultimately led to me being a match for someone else.”

Describing the donation itself, Jaco added: “The procedure is simple, not painful, and I experienced no side effects after the harvest. Stem cells were collected from my blood and the process was safe, carefully monitored, and it took only a few hours.”

Speaking about his family and friends, he said: “They were all excited to be part of the journey and supported me every step of the way.”

“Being a successful match was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Please consider becoming a donor, it can change not only someone else’s life but your own as well,” said Jaco.

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.