Cate Needs a Stem Cell Donor

Help Cate find the matching donor she needs

When Cate was just two months old, her parents were told she had a rare condition that meant her body could not produce enough red blood cells. At the time, they did not know if they would ever be able to bring their baby home. Now, Cate needs a stem cell donor who could help save her life.

For more than a year, Cate depended on regular transfusions every two to three weeks. As she took her first steps at the hospital, her family had to navigate a medical journey that would involve countless appointments, tests and specialists.

As Cate grew older, doctors discovered that she had an underlying genetic condition affecting her bone marrow as her bone marrow struggled to produce the cells her body needs. This left her vulnerable to infections and other serious complications.

“For us, watching our daughter face one medical challenge after another has meant years of uncertainty. We have had to keep moving forward, appointment after appointment, never knowing what the next test might reveal,” shared her parents.

In late October last year, a routine bone marrow biopsy revealed a concerning change that suggested a malignancy could be developing.

“For Cate, finding a matching donor is so important. Once a full malignancy develops, her treatment options could become even more limited and her chances of survival decrease significantly,” shared her parents.

That is why every new person who joins the stem cell registry matters. The more potential donors who register, particularly people from diverse genetic backgrounds, the greater the possibility that patients like Cate can find their match.

If you are between 18 and 55 and in general good health, you could join the registry as a potential stem cell donor. Registering is simple and could take just a few minutes.

There are many more patients like Cate waiting for their match.

Could you be one of them? Register as a potential stem cell donor today.

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

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