You Could Be Nkanyezi's Life-Saving Match!

A sweet, soft-spoken, and shy child who rarely complains, Nkanyezi’s illness initially went unnoticed. At first, his mother, Mpokeleng, thought he had a minor gallbladder issue. As the months passed, his symptoms worsened with constant sweating, persistent pain, and extreme fatigue.

The turning point came in late November 2024 when, during his final Grade 8 exam Nkanyezi suddenly struggled to breathe. Despite his declining health, he pushed through and passed well enough to advance to Grade 9. However, instead of joining his peers for the excitement of a new school year in 2025, Nkanyezi found himself in the hospital, receiving medical care.

Recalling the uncertainty, Mpokeleng said it took some time for Nkanyezi to receive his Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) diagnosis. “He was first diagnosed with Anaemia and spent two weeks in hospital thereafter. Further tests showed his illness was worse than we anticipated”, she says. It was ahead of December’s festive season that Nkanyezi and Mpokeleng received his Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) diagnosis at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.

Nkanyezi now spends a month at a time in hospital receiving treatment, before being discharged for a week to spend time with family. Mpokeleng has found it increasingly difficult to deal with her son’s diagnosis, saying: “I stay at the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa House so that I can be closer to him when he is in hospital. It is difficult to be in this position as sometimes I want to cry and ask God why me, why my son”.

Despite this, Mpokeleng says she is grateful for the support of her sister and her family who have been strengthening her through prayer, their presence and phone calls. Without them, Mpokeleng says she wouldn’t be as strong for her son. She also receives comfort from the other mothers and the staff at CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa. The organization advocates for the health and well-being of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their families. “We all cry together. We give each other strength and pray for each other. But ultimately, every parent wants their child to live”, she adds.

Your selfless act of registering to become a stem cell donor could be the miracle Nkanyezi needs to be granted a second chance at life. Register to become his potential life-saver

Remember, all costs related to the donation process are taken care of by DKMS Africa.