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UMONGO IS LIFE

Umongo Is Life Initiative is a cancer awareness campaign. The campaign aims to bridge the gap by increasing the number of black donors for bone marrow transplant. It was inspired by my dear friend Bukhosi Mtukushe (31), a medical doctor diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Bukhosi needs a bone marrow transplant soon. Currently he uses blood transfusion to survive, which is helping for now but not sustainable.

This is a reality for most black South Africans of all ages who need bone marrow transplants. They are all likely to receive suitable matches from black people, because it is based on genetics. There are immense challenges facing the ones in need of a transplant as there are few black registered donors.

As much as this initiative was sparked by Bukhosi, it is not about him alone. It is about the future of people who will be diagnosed tomorrow. Your family member, your friend, your colleague and a stranger you do not even know. It is about a culture of giving, a culture of Ubuntu, because anyone could be a match for someone in need.

Umongo is Life supports the good work that was initiated the The Sunflower Fund.