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289 register to help Sarah Reddick and others who need stem cell transplants

Of 289 people who registered, 100 were PECI Panthers.

Of 289 people who registered, 100 were PECI Panthers.

Prince Edward Collegiate Institute staff, students and community members showed their support in great numbers at the “OneMatch” Stem Cell and Marrow Drive in support of student Sarah Reddick.

Sarah's cousin Taylor was among 100 students at PECI who registered to help.

Sarah’s cousin Taylor was among 100 students at PECI who registered to help.

“The OneMatch goal was 50 and we registered 289 – with 100 of those being our own Panther students,” said teacher Greer Koutroulides. “They were lined right up all day. Twenty-six people also registered to donate blood at the next clinic in Picton.”

Sarah was unable to attend as she was back in hospital fighting an infection but she was able to make a video appearance at the school.

“Sarah is a beautiful 16-year-old, who is looking forward to finishing high school and going to university to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a teacher,” said Koutroulides. “In order to reach her dreams, Sarah will require a stem cell transplant.”

Those in attendance were “swabbed” and registered to become a stem cell donor, hopefully, to be the “OneMatch” to save a life .  OneMatch representatives were on hand to answer questions.

The focus, as always, is on getting donations from males age 17 to “They provide the best outcome for patients post transplant – lowest instances of post-transplant complications and higher grafting and ultimately, all-in-all, a better quality of life for the patient post transplant,” said Jessica Stergiou, of OneMatch. “They also are the lowest number of people on our registry so only 12.5 per cent are males 17-35. The more young males we get, the more patients we can help.”

The OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network is responsible for finding and matching volunteer donors to patients who require stem cell transplants. Fewer than 30 per cent of patients who need stem cell transplants find a compatible donor within their own family. The rest rely on those who have volunteered to donate stem cells to anyone in need.

“This great event could not have been possible without the wonderful volunteers,” said  Koutroulides.

Reddick-crowd-PECI

Filed Under: Featured ArticlesHastings & Prince Edward District School BoardPECI - It's a Panther Thing

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  1. fed up says:

    Congratulations to all those positive thinking young people!

  2. virginia says:

    Great to see!

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