In an effort to combat blood cancer, Miss South Africa 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida has teamed with an international non-profit organization.
Musida, who has supported numerous organizations on the continent since her rule, has joined DKMS Africa. The bone marrow donation center has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Poland, India, and South Africa, among others.
DKMS Africa is enthusiastic about the relationship, citing Musida’s dedication to social justice and her ability to affect change in the organizations she supports.
The objective of the project is to recruit more black volunteers for the organization’s interests. Compared to white patients, people of African origin have a less than 30% probability of finding a blood stem cell match, which is a hurdle for blood cancer patients.
Every 72 minutes, a person in South Africa is diagnosed with blood cancer, making a blood stem cell transplant their greatest chance of survival.
According to Palesa Mokomele, head of community engagement and communication at DKMS Africa, 75% of the global register is comprised of Caucasian donors and only 25% of potential African donors.
“This disparity gives black, coloured, Indian, and Asian patients with blood cancer a 19% chance of finding a lifesaving match, and this must change,” said Mokomele.
Musida stated that disorders such as blood cancer affect the entire family, not just the patient.
“The financial, mental health, and access to medical care for diagnosed patients is the reason I partnered with DKMS Africa,” said Musida. “I also urge South Africans to come forward and donate to save a life.”
“We must act as South Africans if there is any chance for black, coloured, Indian, and Asian patients to receive treatment and receive transplants.”
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