After months of searching for a bone marrow donor little Gracelyn Green has finally found her match.
Jane Ward, deputy director of the The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), confirmed a donor cord blood unit has been found in the United States for “Gracey”, funded through its Patient Assistance Programme (PAP).
“The PAP was established by the SABMR in 2018 to assist families who cannot afford donor-related costs financially,” she explained.
“It is funded solely by donations from the public, corporates and fundraising efforts, and hence continued entreaties by the SABMR to donate to this worthy cause to give patients a second chance at life.”
Gracey’s aunt, Lizel Solomons, said her family were elated to learn a match had been found. Initially, she said, the transplant had to take place in June, but due to the toddler’s not being well the transplant was pushed back.
“She had become very ill with anaemia and high heart rates, fever spikes and low counts, so the transplant was pushed back,” she related.
Solomons said the family hosted five donor drives to help Gracey find a match.
“My family is obviously anxious and concerned, as we were very well informed and are aware the upcoming transplant can go either way.
“However, we hope and pray for the best and trust in God for good things.”
Gracey was diagnosed in August 2021 with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML), a rare cancer of the blood that affects young children, and her only chance of survival is a stem-cell transplant.
The family has had to endure tragedy after tragedy; at five months little Gracey lost her mother, uncle and grandparents when their home was gutted by a fire on 4 June last year.
The little girl’s diagnosis afterwards has made the family even more determined not to lose her.
According to SABMR, there has been a significant increase in donors of colour on the registry over the last year owing to ongoing donor drives and patient campaigns such as those hosted by Gracey’s family.
“We have an idea of the timeline, but when the transplant is happening depends on Gracey’s well-being and if all the markers tick all the boxes,” Solomons said.
