Students at the University of Regina, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic to get the swab, and save a life.
Canadian Blood Services is looking for stem cell donors between the ages of 17 and 35 to join the donor registry, and maybe be a match for one of the 1,000 Canadians who are waiting for a life saving stem cell transplant.
Students showed support for last year’s Swab at School campaign, with 2,000 more people than expected joining the stem cell registry in response to the campaign. This year, Canadian Blood Services aims to swab 3,000 students across the country over two weeks.
Stem cell transplants can treat over 80 diseases and disorders.
Post secondary students have the power to change a patient’s life, because people ages 17 to 35 make the best lifesaving stem cell donors. When a patient undergoes a stem cell transplant, it’s often their last hope for survival, and the use of stem cells from younger donors typically leads to better patient outcomes.
Patients who need a stem cell transplant are more likely to find a matching donor among those who share their ethnic ancestry. S
tudents who come from an ethnically diverse or mixed-race background could be the match a patient has been waiting for.
Swab at School events:
Feb. 5: U of R, Riddell Centre, Lab Building, 10:00 – 2:00
Feb. 13: SaskPolytech Regina Campus, Main Street corridor, 10:00 – 2:00
If you would like more information, you can check out www.blood.ca/swabatschool.