Younger donors urgently needed as stem cell registry faces ageing database crisis

A local stem cell donor registry is facing a challenge that could impact future patients in need of life-saving transplants – its donor database is ageing faster than it is being replenished.

The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) reports that nearly half of active stem cell donors (46.3%) are currently over the age of 46 while only 4.2% fall within the critical 16–25 age category. The median age of donors on the database is now at 44 years old.

Deputy director for the SABMR, Jane Ward, says this challenge can have far-reaching consequences beyond South Africa’s borders.

“Transplant centres prefer younger donors, as younger stem cells generally lead to better transplant outcomes for patients. Stem cells, just like other organs, age over time. If we do not significantly increase recruitment among younger South Africans now, we risk creating a future shortage of suitable donors when patients need them the most.”

She says that after 35 years of operation, an ageing donor database is inevitable. As donors age, some become medically ineligible or pass away before reaching the donor cut-off age of 60. Over the next decade, thousands of donors are expected to age out of the system, potentially leaving a critical gap in donor availability for patients battling blood cancers and other life-threatening blood disorders.

While the registry currently has more than 78 000 active donors, there is an urgent need for younger recruits to replenish the database and prevent stagnation in the years ahead.

Ward says, “To address the issue, we are implementing a long-term strategy focused on dramatically increasing recruitment among South African youth. We also aim to diversify the registry database, as it currently does not reflect the demographic makeup of the country’s population. We’ve set a target to recruit a minimum of 4 000 eligible new donors annually over the next five to 10 years, with more resources we’d be able to exceed this.”

Donor recruitment supervisor Gaelan Naidoo says a big emphasis is being placed on recruiting quality donors and not just quantity.

“Recruitment trends indicate that only 59% of donors who register end up being eligible, meaning they do not have any medical conditions that may exclude them from being able to donate in the future. We also need to ensure donors are committed, contactable and traceable should we need to get hold of them.”

He says while teams are actively ramping up sign-up efforts at high schools and university campuses across the country, donor recruitment is a huge expense for the organisation. It can cost up to R850 for a swab kit and testing to recruit a single donor.

“While signing up as a donor is completely free, the SABMR covers the cost of the kit and testing. We would like to appeal to corporates and the public for financial support to help us reach our goal. As an NPO, the SABMR is not funded by the government and relies on fundraising, corporates and the public for donations.”

In addition, the SABMR is now moving away from purely educational messaging toward regular storytelling and digital-first engagement aimed at younger audiences on its platforms.

“The age group we are targeting is digitally led and very active on social media. By sharing stories of hope and testimonials from donors, we aim to personalise the reality that many patients only have a 1 in 100 000 chance of finding a matching donor.

“Behind every statistic is a real person awaiting a second chance at life. We need a new generation of donors to step forward – not someday, but now.”

The registry is calling on young people specifically between the ages of 16 and 35 who are relatively healthy to consider signing up as a donor this Youth Month. Sign up online or contact the SABMR on 021 447 8638. Financial donations can be made here.