Anastacia Marais

My name is Anastacia, and I’m a 22-year-old young woman who has been fighting a difficult battle with acute myeloid leukemia since 2022. I was first diagnosed at the age of 19, and after months of treatment, I was so grateful to reach remission in 2023. Unfortunately, in 2024, the cancer came back—more aggressive than before. After another long, painful fight, I reached remission again at the end of 2024.

My doctors have told me that the chances of a third relapse are very high. And if that happens, my chances of surviving it are very low. That’s why I urgently need a transplant. It’s the only way to give me a real chance at long-term recovery.

The public hospitals in South Africa are unable to help me because the procedure is too costly and requires very specialized care. Thankfully, DKMS has generously offered to sponsor half of the cost, which I am incredibly grateful for. But I still need to raise the remaining amount to receive the transplant at a private hospital in Pretoria, where they have the right doctors, equipment, and care I nee...