We aim to raise awareness about the ongoing need for stem cell donors by sharing stories from Canadian donors, patients, recipients, family and transplant staff
Part 9: Why not donate?
“My question to people who may have doubts or fears about registering to be a stem cell donor would be, ‘Why not? What are your fears?’ How I looked at it…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonor#stemcells@CanadasLifeline
Part 8: A Hero. Definitely.
“Tessa has influenced me in many ways- from registering to be an organ and tissue donor to sports. A lot of sports, actually! We're a huge sports family, so anytime she says, 'Oh, I'm doing…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonor#stemcells@CanadasLifeline
Part 7: A tough realisation
“I always ask people to put themselves in the patients' or their families' shoes. Say the person who needs a stem cell transplant is your family member: a brother, aunt, parent, etc. You would…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcells#stemcelldonor@CanadasLifeline
Part 6: Post-op and recovery
“The surgery is over before you know it, which is about two to three hours, if I remember correctly. Everything seemed to go well. I was just a little sore; they gave me a prescription for a…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonor#stemcells@CanadasLifeline
Part 5: “What did I get myself into?”
“Surgery. I was a little bit nervous. I actually have a photo of the morning of my surgery, and I remember thinking, ‘What did I get myself into?’ Admittedly, it was a bit intimidating…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcells#stemcelldonor@CanadasLifeline
Part 4: Last shot
“Stem cell donation comes at a time when your recipient doesn't necessarily have any other option, a stem cell transplant is typically their last option. Once your recipient starts to go through…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonor#stemcells#cancer@CanadasLifeline
Part 3: The decision
“Sports… I started high jumping when I was nine years old. I jumped all through elementary school with a travel track club and then through high school. In university, I decided to join the flag football team…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonor@CanadasLifeline
Part 2: The best match
“Fast forward to 2014 - I was in my second year of university, walking home from class, when I received a call. The person on the other end said, 'It's such and such from Canadian Blood Services…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonation#stemcells@CanadasLifeline
Part 1: What are the odds it’s going to be me
“I initially found out about stem cell donation in 11th grade. An organisation that helps recruit and register donors came to my high school and presented what stem cells are, their…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcelldonor@CanadasLifeline
Part 10: Best date nights
“I feel like the longer you're in a relationship with someone, you don't often prioritize date night. And then there is a really simple way that you can - you can go donate blood together…”
#WhyWeSwab#stemcells#love#family@CanadasLifeline
Part 6: Donation Process
“In the days leading up to the donation, I had to give myself some injections to boost my stem cell count. I remember feeling similar to when you have the flu – tired and achy. On the…” #WhyWeSwab#stemcells#cancer#stemcelldonor@CanadasLifeline
Part 3: Match – hope for a new start
“Our prayers were answered when a match was found for my dad. We learned that he matched with not just one, but three people. I remember I was at a concert with…”
#WhyWeSwab#CanadasLifeline#stemcells#Family#cancer@CanadasLifeline