The next generation of heroes
BE A HERO – FIND OUT HOW you can SAVE A LIFE
Each year, many Canadians survive life threatening diseases thanks to stem cell donation. Unfortunately, not all Canadians find a match and this is particularly true for those from a non-Caucasian ethnicity. Donors are needed who are young and from diverse ethnic background. If you are minimum 17 years old, you may can register to become a life saving donor.
WHY DONATE STEM CELLS
According to Canadian Blood Services (CBS), stem cells are the body’s basic building blocks – the raw material from which all cells are made. In blood, stem cells can become red, white blood cells or even blood platelets.
Stem cell transplantation saves lives. Over 80 diseases and disorders, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other bone marrow deficiency diseases are treated with stem cell donations.
90% of donors will be able to do so using a procedure similar to giving blood, while 10% will give bone marrow.
YOUNG MEN SAVE LIVES
As people age, their stem cell age as well. Studies have shown that patients have a better chance of survival when the donor is younger. That’s why Canadian Blood Services restricts eligibility to young people aged 17 through 35.
In addition, if the donor is a male, the patient has less chance of complications. Specifically, fewer patients get the transplant complication “chronic graft-vs-host disease”. Also, males generally have higher body weight and higher cell counts, making donation easier. That is why three out of four stem cell donors chosen to save a life are male.
However currently, older females make up most of Canada’s donor database. Males under 35 only represent 17% of registrants.
Young males are needed to save lives..
DIVERSITY WILL SAVE LIVES
People are more likely to find a match from donors that are of the same race and ethnicity, however Canada’s current donor database is made up of about two-thirds Caucasian registrants. This doesn’t reflect the ethnic diversity of Canada and means that non-Caucasians find it much harder to find a genetic match. An ethnically diversity registry will make it more likely that patients with mixed or ethnic backgrounds will find matches. Special focus needs to be directed at attracted potential donors who are Aboriginal Peoples, Black, South and Southeast Asian Canadians.
For example, Black patients are estimated to have 16 % to 19 % chance of finding a matched unrelated donor. In contrast, white patients of European descent have 75% chance of finding a matched unrelated donor.
There is also a special need for Aboriginal Peoples given their heritage and genetic makeup is unique to North America, yet only make up 1% of Canada’s database.
NEGATIVE IMPACT OF COVID-19
According to Dr. Heidi Elmoazzen, Director of Stem Cells at Canadian Blood Services, “Most of our Canadian patients are reliant on an international stem cell donor, but with borders being closed, travel-related testing and other restrictions, and donor health concerns related to COVID-19, this has meant that patients and transplant centres are now more reliant on donors here in Canada.”
Unfortunately, stem cell recruitment has dropped by 70% due to COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, most donors were recruited at community events or at university on-campus stem cell recruitment drives.
Now more than ever, there is need to get the word out to encourage people to register online.