UNBC Stem Cell Club Seeks Young Donors to Save Lives

A student-led initiative at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is urging individuals aged 17 to 35 to join the stem cell donor registry. The UNBC Stem Cell Club, in collaboration with Canadian Blood Services and the national stem cell club, aims to recruit potential donors to assist patients in need of life-saving transplants.

Stem cell transplants offer critical treatment options for over 80 medical conditions, including blood cancers, sickle cell anemia, and various immune disorders. According to Zoe Younghusband, president of the UNBC Stem Cell Club, the organization focuses on increasing access to stem cell donors, particularly from ethnically diverse backgrounds. “We like to raise awareness and help build a culture of donation in Canada, especially in Northern British Columbia,” she stated.

The UNBC Stem Cell Club stands out as the northernmost club in British Columbia, with the next closest located in Kelowna. Younghusband emphasized the importance of local engagement, saying, “It’s nice to provide the opportunity in the North to potentially help save a life.”

Community Engagement and Events

To expand their outreach, the club recently organized a donor registry event at Pine Centre Mall and plans to host another at the College of New Caledonia. Currently, the club has registered 276 donors since its inception two years ago. Younghusband explained that the chances of finding a match among family members are approximately 25 percent, making it crucial to recruit a diverse range of donors.

With over 477,000 registered stem cell donors across Canada and more than 40 million worldwide, the need for new registrants remains significant. “And there are still so many people who can’t find a match,” Younghusband remarked, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by patients in search of compatible donors.

Simple Registration Process

The process to become a stem cell donor has been streamlined, with 90 percent of procedures now performed through blood apheresis. Younghusband described it as “very similar to donating blood.” Initially, donors receive medication to increase stem cell production, after which blood is drawn and processed to collect the necessary cells before returning the remaining blood to the donor. This procedure typically lasts between four and six hours.

Alternatively, bone marrow donation, which involves a surgical procedure under anesthesia to extract cells from the pelvic bone, is conducted in larger medical centers. Cord blood donation, collected from the placenta after a baby’s birth, is another method available.

Working closely with Canadian Blood Services, the UNBC Stem Cell Club ensures that all donor expenses are covered. This includes compensation for lost wages, travel costs, meals, and recovery time. “So here it just starts with a cheek swab, and if you are a match, Canadian Blood Services will contact you,” Younghusband noted.

The next major campaign, titled “Black Donors Save Lives,” is scheduled for February 9, 2024, at UNBC. This initiative aims to encourage people of color to register as donors, further diversifying the donor pool.

For those interested in learning more about becoming a stem cell donor, the UNBC Stem Cell Club invites inquiries via email at [email protected] or through their Facebook page, where potential donors can hear testimonials from students who have already registered. Through these efforts, the club hopes to foster a stronger culture of donation in the region, ultimately contributing to saving lives.