When two of her children were diagnosed with life-threatening blood disorders, OUTsurance employee Paballo Segoe found hope through a global donor registry—and the support of her OUTsurance family.
The phrase ‘bone marrow transplant’ can sound intimidating. It might even make some people flinch, imagining something painful or invasive. But here’s the truth: 90% of the time donating bone marrow is as simple as giving blood.[1] The real difference is that if you’re a match, your bone marrow could be the one thing that stands between life and death for someone with a life-threatening blood disease.
The ‘Power of a Match’
For many, a stem cell transplant is their best—and sometimes only—chance at survival. But finding a matching donor is incredibly difficult, especially for patients of African descent due to underrepresentation in global donor registries.[2]
This was the mountain that stood before Paballo Segoe, an OUTsurance employee and devoted mother who had not one, but two children that urgently needed a bone marrow transplant. At the tender age of eight, her daughter was diagnosed and just two years later at the age of four, her son also got the devastating news. Paballo started working at OUTsurance in 2021. At the time, she was still caring for two ill children who were in and out of the hospital. She was open and transparent about her situation with her team, and OUTsurance responded with compassion and flexibility. They provided her with the opportunity to contribute meaningful work, whilst allowing her time to care for her children.
‘Coming to OUTsurance was a divine purpose. Not just to get my story OUT there but also to save my children.’ Paballo said.
In 2021, her daughter received a life-saving donation all the way from Brazil, and after another two years of waiting for her son’s donor, she turned to her OUTsurance family for support. In true OUTie spirit they organised a donor drive—not only to get the word OUT but also to encourage other OUTies to register as donors.
Her son’s journey was incredibly hard. After one failed transplant he had to not only get a new donor, but also wait three months before he could receive the transplant; an almost impossible task. Just one week after his failed transplant a matching donor was found right here in our own backyard—Pretoria East in 2024. ‘I would not be surprised if my son’s donor is linked to the OUTsurance campaign.’ Paballo said with a smile, ‘the timing was just too perfect.’
Today, both of Paballo’s children are healthy and she is filled with gratitude. She would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her incredible medical team, her loving community and everyone at OUTsurance who helped spread the word and registered. Their kindness and support made a meaningful difference during a difficult time.
This is a powerful reminder: by registering as a donor, you’re not only adding your unique genetic makeup to a global database— you’re also creating the opportunity to becoming the lifeline someone has been desperately waiting for.
How can you help?
Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma, and other disorders such as aplastic anaemia. DKMS Africa fights blood cancer and disorders by recruiting diverse stem cell donors, funding research, and supporting patients from diagnosis to treatment[3].
- Visit DKMS Africa’s website to learn more and register.
- Share this message with friends, family, and colleagues.
- Encourage your workplace to partner with DKMS, just like OUTsurance did.
Saving a life could be as simple as signing up. Be the match. Be the hope. Be the cure.
Register as a donor on the DKMS website: Request a swab kit to register as a blood stem cell donor
FAQs: Becoming a Bone Marrow Donor with DKMS
- What is the process to register as a donor?
You simply complete an online form and receive a swab kit in the mail. Swab the inside of your cheeks, send it back, and you’re added to the registry. - What happens if I’m a match?
DKMS will contact you for further testing. If you’re confirmed as a match, you’ll be guided through the donation process, which is safe and medically supervised. - Is bone marrow donation painful?
Most donations are done via peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, which is similar to donating blood. In some cases, bone marrow is collected under anaesthesia. Discomfort is usually minimal and temporary. - Can I change my mind after registering?
Yes, you can opt out at any time. However, if you’re identified as a match, your decision could mean the difference between life and death for a patient. - Is there a cost involved?
No. DKMS covers the cost of registration and donation-related procedures. - Why is donor diversity so important?
Genetic matching is more likely within the same ethnic group. A diverse registry increases the chances of finding matches for all patients, especially those from underrepresented communities. - How is OUTsurance involved?
OUTsurance has partnered with DKMS to raise awareness, host donor drives, and encourage employees to register— demonstrating how corporate support can drive meaningful change.
Discover more of the impactful work being done by the OUTsurance Staff Helping SA OUT: Staff Helping SA OUT | OUTsurance CSI projects
- A Miracle Story: Teenage Bone Marrow Donor Saves a Life
- How ethnicity helps in matching | DKMS
- About DKMS Africa | Fighting Blood Cancer & Blood Disorders