Stem Cell and Marrow Drive supports local teen’s battle

PECI’s Nancy Etmanski and Sarah Reddick held the Survivor’s Walk banner as more than 150 cancer survivors made their way around the “Victory Lap” at the 2012 Relay for Life event in Picton.

Sarah shaving Cst. Kim Guthrie’s head at last April’s Cops for Cancer Pedal for Hope event at the high school.

PECI staff and students invite community members to attend a “OneMatch” Stem Cell and Marrow Drive in support of student Sarah Reddick on April 25 from 4-7 p.m. at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.

“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,” the school said in a statement. “In order to reach her dreams, Sarah will require a stem cell transplant.”

You can help Sarah and approximately 950 other Canadian patients like her to fulfill their dreams. Register to become a stem cell donor. You could be the “OneMatch” to save a life .

Special need for diverse males between 17 and 35 years of age; who are in good health; and, willing to donate to any patient in need. Registration requires filling out a short form and a cheek swab.
OneMatch representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

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.

You may be eligible to join if you are between 17 and 50 years old and meet certain health criteria.

Health problems that could make you ineligible include some heart conditions, cancer, blood diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C.

There are also height and weight restrictions in place to protect both donors and recipients. People who do not meet the program’s height/weight criteria may be at a higher risk when undergoing surgery. (Click here for the OneMatch height/weight chart).

CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming a donor!