For Matthew, Saving Lives Is More Than a Calling. It's Personal.
A life dedicated to helping others: Matthew's stem cell donor journey
For Matthew, who is an emergency services volunteer, helping others has always given him a sense of purpose. But after losing his father to cancer, his desire to help others became even more personal, inspiring him to register as a potential stem cell donor.
The 22-year-old's journey as a potential stem cell donor started while he was studying in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape. At the time, his university's Student Representative Council (SRC) had organised a stem cell donor recruitment drive on campus. Having already dedicated much of his time to volunteering with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and ambulance services, Matthew saw this as another opportunity to help others and decided to register through a simple cheek swab.
Like many people who register, Matthew continued with his life, never imagining that he would one day receive a call informing him that he had been identified as a potential match for a patient in need. When that call eventually came, he could hardly believe it.
Despite his experience in emergency services, Matthew admits that he initially had some concerns about the donation process, particularly the treatment required in the days leading up to his donation.
"One of my biggest concerns was actually the process in the days leading up to the donation. It sounds ironic, considering my background in emergency services, but I don't think many people in the emergency sector are particularly fond of needles themselves," he said.
On the day of his donation, Matthew left home early to arrive at the hospital by 6 am. Although he had anticipated a long experience, Matthew shard how the care and support he received from the medical team quickly put him at ease.
"The preparation and connection to the donation machine were relatively painless, and they took steps to make the process as comfortable as possible. What stood out to me most was how much the staff genuinely cared. They went out of their way to ensure I was comfortable and well looked after, which made the entire experience far more positive than I had anticipated," Matthew recalled.
Having lost his father to cancer, Matthew knew how deeply a diagnosis could affect not only the patient but also their loved ones. His own experience gave him an even greater appreciation of what becoming a stem cell donor could mean to another family.
For someone who had spent years volunteering to help others in emergency situations, Matthew now found himself receiving that same care, all in the memory of his father.
Remember, all costs related to the donation process are taken care of by DKMS Africa.
