Help Santhan find a donor

Santhan Govender was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in September 2008 at the age of 19, whilst in his first year at university. His disease was brought under control until June this year when he relapsed and was told that he needs a bone marrow stem cell transplant from a matching donor in order to survive.

The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) has been searched and no donor match found so Santhan urges everyone who is healthy, between the ages of 18 and 50 and weighs over 50kgs to phone The Sunflower Fund’s toll free number.

 For Santhan, two enlarged lymph nodes and night sweats, is what set the alarm bells ringing and later led to his diagnosis of ALL.

According to Santhan, his family has been very supportive and positive throughout the course of his illness.
He is currently studying electrical and computer engineering and enjoys many sports including squash, golf, soccer and cricket. He is a rugby fan and is hoping that “our boys will bring the Rugby World Cup title home”. Santhan is an avid violin player and is now starting guitar.

He enjoys spending quality time with his family, and socialising with his friends and girlfriend. When asked whether he had a message for the public, Santhan responded “There is no way of putting it lightly, leukaemia is a deadly disease but with your help it can be cured”. “Unfortunately there is a false stigma about what donating entails in terms of the role of the donor.

A bone marrow stem cell donor drive is taking place at St Augustine’s Hospital, 107 Chelmsford Road, Durban on Tuesday, 13th September from 9:00am to 3:00pm. For more information contact Stephanie Berry on 078 207 9041.