Because of the presence of rare HLA antigens, particularly in patients of African ancestry, the SABMR was established in 1991. Currently approximately 20% of unique HLA types in the international database is from the SABMR. The SABMR donors now total approximately 45,000. Sixty-five South African patients have received matched unrelated donor transplants, 20 (30%) with a local donor. Most donors are from Caucasian background. To increase the genetic diversity of the SABMR donor pool, the policy is now to enrol more black and mixed ancestry donors.