High School Teacher Nardia Gave a Patient a Second Chance at Life

“Being in the position that I am in my life, I have always felt called to give back,” Nardia says. “And ff I am healthy enough to be a blessing to someone else, I always felt that I should never take that gift for granted.”

Inspired by personal experiences, Nardia felt compelled to register as a stem cell donor earlier this year after witnessing her husband’s little sister tragically lose her battle to leukaemia at just 8years old. “That loss stayed with me,” she recalls. “And when I heard about a little girl in my own community, the same age as my daughter, diagnosed with blood cancer, it struck me deeply. I knew I couldn’t just stand by, I had to do something.”

When Nardia got the email confirming she was a match, she said that she felt a sense of peace and gratitude: “I felt a deep sense of peace and excitement because someone out there is going to be better.”

Talking about her experience, Nardia shared: “The donation itself was smooth, with only minor fatigue. The process is far less daunting than people imagine. I even slept through much of it because I was cared for every step of the way, and I had so much support. My mom attended almost every blood draw and was even there on donation day,” she says. “My learners were excited, too; it was such a powerful reminder that kindness is contagious.”

Sharing her message of hope, Nardia said, “Go out there and be a blessing. You could be someone’s someone’s miracle. Ordinary people can make extraordinary differences; it only takes saying yes.”

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

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