AC nursing student project seeking stem cell donors

Posted on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

 

A group of Algonquin College nursing students are working on a project to improve access to stem cells and the treatments that they facilitate.

Four students in the College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are working in association with Canadian Blood Services (CBS) to add 50 new stem cell donors to the CBS Stem Cell Registry and develop a more diverse donor population. According to group member Victoria Parlee, fewer than a quarter of patients can find a stem cell match within their family and are often left reliant on registries and donors. More than 1000 Canadians are currently waiting to find a match and receive a potentially life-saving stem cell transplant. Additionally, matches are more likely among those with shared ethnic backgrounds due to compatibility of inherited genetic markers.

Donated stem cells can make a massive difference in the lives of those with a wide range of diseases and disorders, including various blood cancers, bone marrow deficiencies, aplastic anemia and dozens of others.

Those interested in becoming a donor can register online at this link. CBS is seeking donors primarily between the ages of 17-35 and in good health. Additionally, due to stem cell matches having a direct correlation to ethnic background, the Stem Cell Registry is made stronger through a diverse group of donors. The group’s community nursing team will also host an information booth on Nov. 8 at the Ottawa Campus’ Student Commons from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


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