Men make up just 28% of potential blood stem cell donors on a registry of more than 210 000 in South Africa, despite growing evidence that younger male donors can play an important role in successful transplant outcomes.
Women outnumber men by more than two to one on the registry, highlighting a significant need for greater male representation. Young men aged 17 to 25 account for just 11% of registered donors. Although men’s share of new registrations has risen from 19% in 2021 to 31% in 2025, they remain significantly underrepresented. Yet men accounted for 40% of the 42 stem cell donations collected from the registry in 2025.
Research suggests that donor age and sex can influence transplant outcomes. A study of more than 10,000 unrelated donor transplants found that male and younger donors were associated with improved event-free survival, with researchers recommending male donors aged 18 to 30 when several suitable donors in that age group were available. A separate analysis of 452 transplant patients also linked male donors to better overall survival and faster platelet recovery. Other research has revealed that men also tend to yield larger numbers of stem cells.
Yet, despite being underrepresented on the registry, men accounted for 40% of the 42 stem cell donations facilitated through the registry in 2025.
“When a transplant team searches the registry, age and other characteristics can influence which suitable donor they select,” says Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa. “On International Men’s Day, we’re encouraging more men to register and learn about what’s involved in donating stem cells.”
She says misconceptions about the process, along with concerns about taking time off work, can discourage potential donors. “Some men assume that donating stem cells means undergoing surgery, or worry that they can’t afford to take time off work. In most cases, stem cells are collected from the bloodstream through a procedure similar to donating blood, and DKMS Africa covers the costs associated with donation.”
Former Springbok Jaco Pretorius once shared some of these misconceptions. He registered as a donor in 2018 after watching his best friend’s life being saved by a stem cell transplant. Four years later, he was identified as a match for a patient.
“My experience is that people are not aware of the great need in our country and the simplicity of the process,” he explains. “The perception is that it is a painful procedure which carries personal risk. My personal experience was the complete opposite, which I try my best to communicate as far as possible to potential donors.”
After blood tests and medical checks, Pretorius donated through peripheral blood stem cell collection. The procedure took a few hours, and he experienced no side effects. He later learned through DKMS Africa that the transplant had been successful, and that the recipient was healthy.
“That was one of the best feelings, to know that through such a simple action, someone else’s life was saved,” he recalls.
Pretorius now hosts donor registration drives along with DKMS Africa to encourage others to join the registry. However, Mokomele stresses that signing up is only the beginning. “Joining the registry is incredibly important, but it doesn’t end there. If you’re identified as a potential match, we need to be able to reach you. Keeping your contact details up to date and being willing to donate when the time comes could make all the difference to someone waiting for a transplant.”
South Africans aged 17 to 55 who meet the health requirements can register at www.dkms-africa.org/register-
For more information, contact DKMS Africa on 0800 12 10 82.
