COMRADES MARATHON 2023:
Reflections and Resolutions
In the vibrant city of Durban, a palpable sense of excitement filled the air as runners from across the world gathered to participate in #TheUltimateHumanRace: Comrades Marathon. Amidst the anticipation, our team proudly joined forces with the incredible runners from the #RunningwithSoleAC, embarking on a remarkable journey to shed light on the fight against blood cancer and conquer what millions view as impossible.
Since its inception in 1921, the Comrades Marathon has stood as a testament to human resilience and determination. Its rich history showcases the remarkable capacity of individuals to push beyond their limits and emerge victoriously. Spanning approximately 90 kilometers between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, this iconic ultramarathon embodies grit, tenacity, and the unbreakable spirit of the human race. This is something we experience in our daily work at DKMS Africa. A realisation that brought the team to tears at the finish line and serves as an affirmation of our purpose.
Fueled by Love
With every planned campaign or event there are elements that are unexpected. The most heartwarming for Comrades Marathon 2023 was Lindokuhle Madlala who ran and finished the Comrades Marathon, as a tribute to his late friend and DKMS Africa patient, Gugu Juliet Ximba.
Carrying her spirit of positivity and determination with him, Lindokuhle valiantly ran the ultimate human race while proudly displaying a sign that read “Keep the bell of hope ringing! Stem cell donation: Make a friend, save a life! In loving memory of Gugu Ximba #TogetherAgainstBloodCancer”
In May 2023, we published Gugu’s story and plea for people to register as stem cell donors so she could live to raise her two children. As we do for all our patients, we conducted social media, public relations, and radio campaigns to raise awareness and motivate people to register as stem cell donors. More than 500 people registered in her name and she was able to find four matching donors. Unfortunately, none of the four donors were willing to commit once they received the call that they were a match. Gugu passed away in the same Inkosi Albert Luthuli Ward that took her mother’s life years prior.
A Sister’s Commitment
The exhibition element of the Comrades Marathon was hosted for three days and our KwaZulu-Natal Donor Recruitment Team along with committed volunteers recruited 375 stem cell donors from the attendees. Their commitment elevated the weekend to one of purpose and ensured that recruited donors meant a possible 375 second chances at life. One of the volunteers who dedicated their time was Cebo Jessica Ximba, Gugu’s sister.
Since her sister’s passing, Cebo registered as a DKMS Africa volunteer and her love for her sister keeps her motivated to ensure that other families have hope and never experience what her family went through. She now looks after her sister’s children and does the best she can to ensure that they know they are loved and supported “because I know my sister would do the same for my children. I just want donors to know that when they sign up it’s a serious commitment”.
Partnerships with Sole
In May 2023, we announced the partnership with #RunningWithSoleAC, founded by DKMS Partner, Attorney, and Activist Tumi Sole. Our partnership with Tumi Sole started in early 2022 and has grown from strength to strength as his commitment to our cause has brought about authentic ways to mobilise young, Black, South Africans to be active citizens. In his personal capacity, he’s committed his voice to this cause by hosting various Twitter Spaces with us to raise awareness and educate people on blood cancer and stem cell donation.
RunningWithSoleAC is a registered running club with Central Gauteng Athletics and comprises of runners from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to engineers, cashiers, medical doctors, waitresses, attorneys, project managers, and clinical psychologists. It’s a Club that represents the diversity that’s reflected in the impact that blood cancer has in our society: It’s prevalent across age, race, and economic lines which makes it a disease we all need to dedicate our voices to and fight.
Officially registered in December 2022, the Club registered with 18 runners for the Comrades Marathon and also partnered with brands such as Budget Insurance, Southern Sun, and South African Airways. Of the 18 Comrades qualifying runners two ran in DKMS Africa’s name and in honour of all blood cancer patients: Kenneth ‘Spotrunner’ Ramaano and Tsholo Makwe.
We mention these runners who officially ran in our name but we do not forget the other runners and Club members who openly and wholeheartedly threw their support behind our cause. There was a true and natural camaraderie, forging bonds of solidarity and hope that resonated among participants and spectators alike.
We remain resolute
Our team consists of 34 employees and we’ve carried every patient in our hearts, minds, and all our work is for them. We ensure that every donor is clearly educated and celebrated for their selflessness and willingness to go above and beyond just by registering and donating. This is reflected in the work we continue to do with DKMS Africa donor Kwazinosi Mhlongo who registered after reading Gugu’s story, avails himself for any initiative we embark on, and stood with us on the sidelines at the Comrades Marathon. Through sharing his story, we were able to recruit 95 donors who serve as beacons of hope.
With South Africa’s complex past, present and future we remain undeterred in our mission to ensure that blood cancer education enters the mainstream, and that our diverse people not only register to be stem cell donors but are willing to answer the call should they be a match and stand united with us in saving lives.
DKMS Africa turned two on the 25th of March 2023, so our journey has just begun. In those two short years, we’ve managed to recruit more than 54 000 donors and diversified our registry from 15% Black donors in 2021 to 51% in 2022.
Join us by registering as a stem cell donor, donating money, volunteering, partnering with us, and/or sharing this post. Visit dkms-africa.org, today!
We’re just getting started!
#UnitedByHope #TogetherAgainstBloodCancer #RunningWithSoleAC #ComradesMarathon #Comrades2023 #DKMS
UnitedByHope #TogetherAgainstBloodCancer #RunningWithSoleAC #ComradesMarathon
Comrades2023 #DKMS
