NAMIBIA · AFRICA
Become a bone marrow donor in Namibia
For people who live in Namibia. Live somewhere else? Find your country.
People who live in Namibia join South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), a registry based in South Africa, from age 16 to 45. SABMR opened applications to Namibian citizens in 2023, working with the Cancer Association of Namibia, and its annual report counted 810 eligible and active Namibian donors recruited by March 2024. 6 Checked .
Browsing from another country? See how joining works where you live.
| Place | Namibia |
|---|---|
| Region | Southern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africa 7 |
| Population | About 3 million (2023) 8 |
| Registry | South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) (South African Bone Marrow Registry NPC) 1 3 4 |
| Who can join | Ages 16 to 45The route is for citizens: the Namibian Sun reported in August 2023 that the arrangement lets eligible Namibian citizens aged 16 to 45 register as stem cell donors with SABMR. 2 10 |
| How you sign up | To join from Namibia you choose Namibia on SABMR’s online form. Windhoek Express reported that SABMR then provides a free cheek swab, by courier or at an appointment at a location SABMR works with, under the Cancer Association of Namibia’s guidance. 1 9 |
| Cost | Joining from Namibia is free: Windhoek Express reported that the cheek swab is free of charge, and the Cancer Association of Namibia’s chief executive told the Namibian Sun in 2023 that donors would not incur any costs. 9 10 |
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A bone marrow donor registry is also called a stem cell or blood stem cell donor registry.
Which registry do people in Namibia join?
South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) signs up people who live in Namibia. It is run by South African Bone Marrow Registry NPC, a nonprofit organization.
Namibia has no donor registry of its own: Windhoek Express reported in May 2025 that SABMR, South Africa’s national registry, also serves as Namibia’s registry, and The Namibian reported that all registrations at Namibian drives go to SABMR. 12 13
DKMS Africa, South Africa’s other registry, doesn’t sign up people living in Namibia: on Oct 11, 2026, its form asked first whether you live in South Africa. 5
Namibian citizens can join South Africa’s national registry, SABMR. 1 6
How do I join in Namibia?
In May 2025 the Cancer Association of Namibia, the Namibia Oncology Centre and the Matches on the Map campaign held sign-up drives in Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Mariental and Windhoek, The Namibian and Windhoek Express reported. 12 13
South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR)
Run by South African Bone Marrow Registry NPC, a nonprofit organization.
16–45years old to join
- Who it’s for
- People who live in Namibia, aged 16 to 45.
- Language
- English
Why this one first South Africa’s national registry, with a home cheek-swab kit for people living there (16–45); it also takes Namibian citizens, and DKMS Africa (17–55) is the other route.
Link checked Read the registry’s rules (opens in a new tab)
Information
Cancer Association of Namibia
Cancer Association of Namibia is a nonprofit organization.
- Language
- English
Read Cancer Association of Namibia’s own page (opens in a new tab)
Who can join in Namibia?
Windhoek Express reported that applicants in Namibia must be 16 to 45, and that anyone under 18 should talk with their immediate family and contact the Cancer Association of Namibia before applying. 9
- Your health
- Most healthy adults can join. Some conditions rule it out. Read the registry’s health rules (opens in a new tab)
Namibia and the world’s donor search
Windhoek Express reported in May 2025 that Namibia had only about 800 people on the registry, against about 80,000 in neighboring South Africa. 12
What happens after I join?
Your tissue type is recorded, so searches for patients can find you. If you match a patient, South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) contacts you, checks you’re still willing and well, and arranges more tests.
If a donor from Namibia is asked to donate, they fly to Cape Town and stay three to five days, with all expenses covered by SABMR, the Namibian Sun reported in July 2023. 11
Questions about joining in Namibia
Can I join if I’m not a citizen of Namibia?
The route is for citizens: the Namibian Sun reported in August 2023 that the arrangement lets eligible Namibian citizens aged 16 to 45 register as stem cell donors with SABMR. 10
How do I sign up in Namibia: online, by kit or in person?
To join from Namibia you choose Namibia on SABMR’s online form. Windhoek Express reported that SABMR then provides a free cheek swab, by courier or at an appointment at a location SABMR works with, under the Cancer Association of Namibia’s guidance. 1 9
Does it cost anything to join in Namibia?
Joining from Namibia is free: Windhoek Express reported that the cheek swab is free of charge, and the Cancer Association of Namibia’s chief executive told the Namibian Sun in 2023 that donors would not incur any costs. 9 10
How old do you have to be to join South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR)?
South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) signs up people aged 16 to 45. 2
Is South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) part of the international donor search?
Yes. South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is a member of the World Marrow Donor Association.
Questions about donating itself have their own pages: Does it hurt?, How donation works and Recovery.
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The registries’ own pages
- SABMR. Become A Donor - SABMR.
- SABMR NPC. DOC048 Donor Exclusion Criteria, version 3 (policy).
- SABMR NPC. DOC114 Access to Information Manual (PAIA section 51), version 5.
- SABMR NPC. Annual Report 2024/25, linked from sabmr.co.za/3d-flip-book/annual-report-2025/.
- DKMS Africa. Registration (1/11) - first eligibility screen.
- SABMR NPC. Annual Report 2023/24 ('Finding matches on the map'), linked from sabmr.co.za/3d-flip-book/annual-report-2024/. 2023.
The World Marrow Donor Association and other figures
- United Nations Statistics Division. Standard country or area codes for statistical use (M49): Overview (English table).
- UN DESA Population Division. World Population Prospects 2024: Total population by sex (CSV).
Research and other sources
- Windhoek Express. Become a stem cell donor and help save lives. Updated Jul 12, 2023.
- Namibian Sun. Cancer association, SABMR call for donor diversification. Updated Aug 8, 2023.
- Namibian Sun. Namibians can now donate bone marrow. Updated Jul 17, 2023.
- Windhoek Express. Your chance to save a life. Updated May 21, 2025.
- The Namibian. Matches on the Map brings 'Truck of Hope' to Namibia. Updated May 14, 2025.
- Jada Bascom Foundation. About us: Jada’s story.Checked