University Stem Cell Club Urges Young Adults to Register as Donors

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is calling on individuals aged 17 to 35 to join the stem cell donor registry, aiming to support patients in urgent need of transplants. The student-led Stem Cell Club is collaborating with Canadian Blood Services and the national stem cell organization to enhance donor recruitment and raise awareness about the importance of ethnic diversity in donor matches.

Stem cell transplants are critical treatments that can save lives, addressing over 80 conditions such as blood cancers, sickle cell anemia, and various immune disorders. “We’re a group of UNBC students who organize donor recruitment and provide education around the stem cell donor registry,” said Zoe Younghusband, president of the UNBC Stem Cell Club. “We’re focusing on increasing access to match stem cell donors, especially for those from ethnically diverse backgrounds.”

The UNBC Stem Cell Club, the northernmost chapter in British Columbia, has registered 276 donors since its inception. Recently, the club expanded its outreach by hosting a donor registry event at Pine Centre Mall, with another event planned for the College of New Caledonia in the coming days.

The likelihood of finding a match among family members is only about 25 percent, making it essential for ethnically diverse donors to participate. Younghusband noted, “There are more than 477,000 registered stem cell donors in Canada and over 40 million worldwide, yet many individuals still cannot find a match. It’s important for us to provide this opportunity in the North, as we often feel overlooked.”

The process to become a stem cell donor has evolved, with approximately 90 percent of procedures now conducted through blood apheresis, a method similar to blood donation. Before the procedure, donors receive medication to boost stem cell production, followed by a blood draw where cells are collected by a machine and returned to the donor. This process typically takes between four to six hours.

Another method involves a surgical procedure to collect bone marrow from the pelvic bone under anesthesia. Additionally, cord blood donation is available, which occurs after the birth of a child. According to Younghusband, all expenses for donors are covered by Canadian Blood Services, including travel, meals, and lost wages.

“So here, it just starts with a cheek swab, and if you are a match, Canadian Blood Services will contact you,” Younghusband explained. “Many people simply do not know about this opportunity, so it’s crucial to spread the word.”

A national campaign, titled Black Donors Save Lives, is set to launch on February 9, 2024, at UNBC, encouraging people of color to register as donors. For more information, individuals can email [email protected] or visit the UNBC Stem Cell Club’s Facebook page to hear testimonials from students who have already registered.

The UNBC Stem Cell Club is committed to fostering a culture of donation in Canada, particularly in Northern British Columbia, as they strive to connect potential donors with those in critical need of life-saving transplants.