Which would you prefer as a last-minute holiday gift? Stem cells, or anonymous correspondence from those whose life yours saved?
A national group of volunteers called Why We Swab is delivering the latter to encourage the former. They鈥檝e launched a holiday campaign to raise awareness about stem cell donation by sharing heartwarming letters sent between recipients and anonymous donors.
鈥淔or many survivors of blood cancers, the best gift they ever received was a lifesaving donation from an altruistic stranger, somewhere across the world,鈥� the volunteer group stated in a press release.
Eleven letters shared on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter between Dec. 15 and 20 attest to exactly that.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e extremely powerful because they demonstrate how special and emotional the connection between a recipient and donor becomes after transplant,鈥� said Gabriele Jagelaviciute, a medical student at Queens University who leads the volunteer team.
Part 4: Precious Gift
鈥� Why We Swab (@WhyWeSwab) December 18, 2021
鈥淒ear Stem Cell Donor,
How can I possibly thank you enough for the...鈥�
This Holiday season we are sharing letters between stem cell donors and the recipients of their life saving donation. @CanadasLifeline #whyweswab #stemcells #secretsanta #holidays pic.twitter.com/XZ42OQkBgx
READ ALSO: Stem cell drive at UVic aims to find lifesaving donors for patients in need
鈥淲e aim to show the public the impact that a stem cell donation can have on a patient鈥檚 life, as well as their family members, friends, and community,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e hope that this holiday season we can inspire young individuals between the ages of 17 and 35 to sign up as stem cell donors to gift patients a second chance at life.鈥�
Part 1: Big Difference
鈥� Why We Swab (@WhyWeSwab) December 15, 2021
鈥淚 just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking about you lots...鈥�
This Holiday season we are sharing letters between stem cell donors and the recipients of their life saving donation. @CanadasLifeline #WhyWeSwab #Holidays #Christmas #SecretSanta pic.twitter.com/yGUvglPfmk
Hematologist Warren Fingrut supervises the campaign while caring for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood, immune or metabolic diseases. Since matches are more common among those with similar ancestries, and racialized folks make up a minority of donors, the team is especially encouraging those of diverse backgrounds to donate.
READ ALSO: Most Black Canadians won鈥檛 find a stem cell donor in time; this group is working to change that
鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to sign up online. You fill out a form and are then mailed some cheek swabs, which you mail back. From there, you鈥檙e on the database until age 60, and could match to a patient in need anytime,鈥� Fingrut said.
Those interested may register at the Canadian Blood Services website at blood.ca. For the full compilation of recipient letters to donors, visit Why We Swab鈥檚 Twitter page.
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