South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR)

South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) The SABMR exists to help find matching donors for patients needing a bone marrow transplant and who do not have a match within their own families.

Why do people need bone marrow transplants? Every year, hundreds of South African children and adults with blood diseases such as leukaemia and bone marrow failure are considered for bone marrow transplantation for which a healthy donor is needed. In 30% of cases a suitable donor can be found within the patient's family, usually a brother or sister. For the other 70% of patients, their only hope is for the SABMR to find them a matched unrelated donor. How does the SABMR find donors for patients? Patients are not responsible for finding their own unrelated donor. Doctors contact the SABMR to search for donors both in the local and international databases. Currently the SABMR database is approaching 74 000 donors and there are nearly 30 million donors in registries worldwide. Access to this large pool of donors increases the chance of finding a match for a patient. However, finding a suitably matched unrelated donor is a complicated process that takes time, so it's a good idea for the search to be started as soon as possible. Of the patients transplanted to date, for approximately 25%, a South African donor was found; for the remaining patients a donor was found in another country. Once a match has been found, what next? The SABMR works with the transplant centre and the donor centre to schedule the donation. On the scheduled date, the marrow or blood cells are collected and transported from the collection centre to the transplant centre. The SABMR arranges all the logistics to ensure that the cells arrive on time. The precious cells are hand carried by trained, experienced individuals.

While we're all decorating our Christmas trees and choosing gifts for those closest to us, someone out there is hoping f...
08/12/2025

While we're all decorating our Christmas trees and choosing gifts for those closest to us, someone out there is hoping for just one thing - more time.

Your donation helps make stem cell donor matches possible, supports families and gives patients a shot at a second chance at life.

This festive season, consider giving a gift of hope and one that truly matters - no bows or wrapping required.
Donate here now: https://sabmr.co.za/donate-funds/

On International Volunteers Day, we honour those who give their time so others can have hope. To our SABMR volunteers, t...
05/12/2025

On International Volunteers Day, we honour those who give their time so others can have hope.
To our SABMR volunteers, thank you for your compassion, energy and unwavering support.
Want to help at donor drives and events? We’d love to have you on the team - send us a DM!

For the past 4 weeks, we’ve been running a digital campaign to build awareness and inspire generosity ahead of GivingTue...
02/12/2025

For the past 4 weeks, we’ve been running a digital campaign to build awareness and inspire generosity ahead of GivingTuesday, and today is the day. 💙

Thank you to everyone who has followed our journey and stayed tuned to our efforts. If you find it in your heart to make a contribution today, your kindness could bring a patient one step closer to finding their life-saving stem cell match.

Every donation, big or small, helps us continue the work we do as a non-profit dedicated to saving lives. We truly appreciate your support.

👉 Donate here: https://sabmr.co.za/donate-now/

This Giving Tuesday , 2 December 2025, you have the power to make a life-saving contribution. A donation of R600 covers ...
28/11/2025

This Giving Tuesday , 2 December 2025, you have the power to make a life-saving contribution. A donation of R600 covers the HLA typing of one potential donor, helping bring a patient one step closer to finding their perfect match.

Join us at South African Bone Marrow Registry in turning hope into action!

Visit our website and click on the “Donate Now” tab to contribute: https://sabmr.co.za/donate-funds/

🚨 Time Change AlertOur SPAR Cancer Awareness Event will now take place tomorrow from 09:00 – 13:00.Let’s come together t...
27/11/2025

🚨 Time Change Alert
Our SPAR Cancer Awareness Event will now take place tomorrow from 09:00 – 13:00.
Let’s come together to spread awareness and save lives.

This Wednesday, 26 Nov, we’ll be at Indigo Spur Steak Ranch Waterstone Village from 5pm–9pm for our Fundraiser Eveni...
24/11/2025

This Wednesday, 26 Nov, we’ll be at Indigo Spur Steak Ranch Waterstone Village from 5pm–9pm for our Fundraiser Evening.

✅ 10% of all meals ordered will be donated to SABMR
✅ Sexy Socks will be on sale to support patients in need
✅ Your presence = real impact

Come and join us and help us raise funds for our Patient Assistance Programme!

21/11/2025

Thank you to Investec for allowing us to use their offices for a donor recruitment drive.
We had an incredible time engaging with their team — thank you to everyone who took a moment to learn, connect, and register as potential stem cell donors.
Hope grows when more people step forward. 💙

To register online, click here: www.sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor/

This Giving Tuesday, on the 2nd December 2025, with a donation of R150, you help fund marketing that inspires and educa...
21/11/2025

This Giving Tuesday, on the 2nd December 2025, with a donation of R150, you help fund marketing that inspires and educates a new potential stemcell donor, spreading awareness and hope, one message at a time.

Together, we reach further!

Visit our website and select “Donate Now” to join the movement: https://sabmr.co.za/donate-funds/

Come and support the SABMR at Indigo Spur Steak Ranch at Waterstone Village on Wednesday the 26th of November. Bring the...
19/11/2025

Come and support the SABMR at Indigo Spur Steak Ranch at Waterstone Village on Wednesday the 26th of November.

Bring the whole family and enjoy “The Taste For Life” while actively helping to save lives. A portion (10%) of the proceeds on the night will go towards our Patient Assistance Programme, aimed at lending a helping hand to families who cannot afford the costs associated with transplants.
Spur Steak Ranches

This Giving Tuesday , on the 2nd of December 2025, a donation of R100 funds a buccal swab kit, the first step for someo...
14/11/2025

This Giving Tuesday , on the 2nd of December 2025, a donation of R100 funds a buccal swab kit, the first step for someone to become a potential stemcell donor.

Small donation, big impact!

Visit our website and press “Donate Now” to help change a life: https://sabmr.co.za/donate-funds/

Did you know…nearly 300 donors from Germany have donated their stem cells for local patients.
12/11/2025

Did you know…nearly 300 donors from Germany have donated their stem cells for local patients.

We’re partnering with Spur Steak Ranches , PinkDrive , CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA , Helderberg Hospice , Sir Fr...
12/11/2025

We’re partnering with Spur Steak Ranches , PinkDrive , CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA , Helderberg Hospice , Sir Fruit , Sweet Temptations Confections , The Cancer Association of South Africa , and Waterstone Village Mall for a meaningful Cancer Awareness Day — and you’re invited to be part of it. 🎗️

📅 28 November 2025
⏰ 5pm – 9pm
📍 Spur Indigo, Waterstone Village Centre, Main Rd

💈 On the day: Shavathon, cancer education, support stations, giveaways and more
🧬 SABMR will also be on-site to register potential stem cell donors for patients in need.

Whether you shave, support, learn, sign up, or simply show up — your presence makes a real difference.

Let’s unite for awareness, compassion, and action. 💙

Address

J57, Old Outpatient Building Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory
Cape Town
7925

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 16:00
Tuesday 07:30 - 16:00
Wednesday 07:30 - 16:00
Thursday 07:30 - 16:00
Friday 07:30 - 16:00

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