Help Save Lihle

What began as harmless nosebleeds in late 2021 soon turned into a devastating medical journey for Lihle and his mother, Wesizwe. At the time, Lihle had just started high school and as a determined firstborn of four, he strived to lead by example, but when his nose started to bleed uncontrollably in August 2022, he knew something was wrong.

Drifting in and out of consciousness, Lihle was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he spent days barely awake and growing weaker. Over the next two months, he was moved between hospitals, fighting for his life. Lihle was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

Sharing his experience, Lihle said, “I asked them to repeat it five times. I didn’t understand what it meant… I just knew everything was changing. I could see how worried my mom was, and I felt I had to be strong for her.”

For Wesizwe, the emotional toll has been agonizing. She is still struggling to accept her son’s diagnosis, made even harder because the family lost Lihle’s father the same year he fell ill. “It felt like everything was falling apart all at once,” she said tearfully. “Some days it feels unreal. I ask God every day to give me strength.”

Today, Wesizwe is unemployed and raising all four of her children alone.

If you are between 17 - 55 and in good health, you can make a difference. Help give Lihle a second chance at life, and register as a stem cell donor today

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