By: DKMS
Devoted mother, Bibi is in the midst of an unimaginable battle, fighting for the lives of her two young sons, 7-year-old Abu- Taalib and 4-year-old Ayyub. Both boys have been diagnosed with a rare and severe genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. Their only hope for
survival lies in finding a matching stem cell donor.
Bibi’s nightmare began when her older son, Abu-Taalib, suddenly became disoriented after a karate class, walking into a pole. Initially dismissing it as a minor accident, further tests revealed a much graver situation: that he had a genetic disorder. This condition not only threatens the young boy’s dreams of becoming a lawyer like his late father, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also his life. The diagnosis was a devastating blow, especially when it became clear that Abu-Taalib's younger brother, Ayyub, who also suffers from the same disorder, could not be a donor match.
"Learning about Abu-Taalib’s condition was overwhelming," Bibi recalls. "But when Ayyub was diagnosed just 10 days later, it felt like the world was crumbling around us. The fact that neither of my sons could help the other made the situation even more desperate."
Ayyub, a lively child who loves art and toy cars, now faces a similar fate as his brother. The boys’ future hinges on finding a matching donor, a daunting task given the challenge of finding a perfect genetic match. “Every day is a battle, but my sons face it with incredible bravery,” says Bibi. “I want the world to see them not just as patients, but as courageous souls fighting against all odds.”
The family has been organising drives to encourage people to get swabbed and join the stem cell registry. These samples are then sent to DKMS Africa, a non-profit organisation committed to combating blood cancer and blood disorders. “The collective efforts of DKMS Africa, the family, and the Cape Town community have led to registering over 900 people in an effort to urgently find a matching stem cell donor,” says Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa.
The next donor drives are on Saturday, 24 August, from 9 am to 1 pm at Spectacle Warehouse Kenilworth and on Sunday, 25 August, from 9 am to 5 pm at Gatesville Civic Centre in Cape Town.
“By sharing our story, I hope to raise awareness and inspire more people to register as stem cell donors. The chances of finding a match may be slim, but that one person could be the lifeline my boys desperately need,” Bibi implores. By simply registering as a donor, you may be the hero giving Abu-Taalib and Ayyub a second chance at life. Visit https://www.dkms-africa.org/saveabuandayyub today to join the fight and help save these brave brothers. For more information, contact DKMS Africa on 0800 12 10 82.
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