Calista's Decision to Give Hope to a Stranger

A chance encounter with DKMS Africa at a flea market in Ballito gave her that opportunity, and two-and-a-half years later, she was identified as a match. For Calista, registering as a potential stem cell donor was something she had wanted to do for some time. But it wasn't until she unexpectedly came across a DKMS Africa recruitment stand that she finally took that step.

Two-and-a-half years later, that seemingly small decision took on an entirely new meaning when Calista received the news that she had been identified as a potential match for a patient in need. Excited by the news, she immediately shared the moment with her family WhatsApp group.

As a medical doctor, Calista already understood the importance of stem cell transplantation in treating certain blood cancers and other serious conditions. However, she admits that even with her medical background, there were aspects of the donation process she had misunderstood.

"One of the biggest misconceptions I had was about how stem cells are actually collected. I'd always assumed that donating stem cells meant undergoing a bone marrow harvest. What I didn't realise was that stem cells can also be collected directly from the bloodstream," she explained.

For her, the decision to donate had never been a difficult one. From the moment she received the call, she was determined to follow through.

"From the moment I found out that I was a potential match, I just knew that I was going to go ahead with it. There was never a moment of questioning whether I wanted to do it or not. The decision felt so natural to me," she said.

Although she felt well-informed and confident about her decision, Calista did have some concerns about the possible side effects of the G-CSF injections administered in the days leading up to her donation. She experienced relatively mild back pain, which she describes as manageable. In hindsight, however, she laughs, taking the recommended pain medication rather than simply trying to push through the discomfort might have made the experience even easier.

When the day of her donation finally arrived, any concerns were overshadowed by excitement and an unexpected sense of calm.

"What stands out to me most is how calm I felt. I wasn't nervous or stressed at all. Of course, there was a lot of excitement, but more than anything, I remember this overwhelming sense of peace. I'd already met the entire team, and I knew I was in capable hands and would be well taken care of," said Calista.

Now, having experienced the donation process firsthand, Calista hopes that sharing her story will encourage others not only to register as potential stem cell donors but also to understand the significance of the commitment they are making.

She also hopes to challenge some of the misconceptions surrounding stem cell donation, particularly those that may discourage people from registering or proceeding when they are identified as a match.

"If you're uncertain or afraid, ask questions. Educate yourself. Find out what the process actually involves rather than allowing fear of the unknown to make the decision for you," Calista encouraged.

What began as an ordinary day at a flea market in Ballito became an extraordinary opportunity to offer hope to someone she has never met.

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