Why We Swab

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Part 9: Living through both sides

“I had been on the receiving end, seeing my dad receive a stem cell transplant. I felt the miracle of life because of his blessed donor. In turn, eight…”

#WhyWeSwab #stemcells #stemcelldonor #cancer #family #love #lovestory @CanadasLifeline

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Part 8: God’s hands at work

“My dad’s illness-journey all happened within the span of a year—from his initial hospitalization when he noticed something was wrong, to receiving a transplant, and…”

#WhyWeSwab #stemcells #stemcelldonor #cancer #family #community @CanadasLifeline

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Part 7: Save a life, find a wife

“Learning that Jay was a donor was really meaningful to our relationship. He showed me right off the bat through donating that he is unwavering, and determined…”

#WhyWeSwab #stemcells #cancer #stemcelldonor #love #family @CanadasLifeline

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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

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Part 5: Donation brought them together

“I posted on Instagram that we were holding a swab clinic at my university. Jay saw my story and messaged me to say that he was a potential match…”

#WhyWeSwab #stemcells #cancer #bonemarrow #stemcelldonor #love #romance @CanadasLifeline

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Part 4: God moment

“When I was in grade 12, our high school held its third swab clinic in honour of Sierra’s father. I was finally old enough to register that year, so I signed up, even though…”

#WhyWeSwab #CanadasLifeline #stemcells #stemcelldonor #cancer @CanadasLifeline

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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

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Part 2: Father inspires swab clinics

“When I was 14, my dad became extremely sick - this was a surprise to all of us as he led a very healthy life. He completed Iron Man's, triathlons, and was...” #WhyWeSwab #CanadasLifeline #stemcells #bonemarrow #cancer @CanadasLifeline

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Part 1: Lucky to be in love with a donor

“Donating is an extremely attractive quality in a partner - it isn’t so much the actual act of donating, but what this speaks to their character…” #WhyWeSwB @CanadasLifeline #ValentineDay #love #stemcells #valentine #14february

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Part 7: One in 25 Million

“The day I was to meet my donor William Ashby Hall, and his husband Michael Ashby Hall, I couldn't stop crying. I thought of the patients I became...”

#WhyWeSwab @CanadasLifeline #stemcells #London #Canada #UK #gay #pride #pridemonth #lgbtq @DKMS_uk