Native People Urged To Donate Blood, Stem Cells

Native People Urged To Donate Blood, Stem Cells

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 12:47

 

 

Employees at the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority are encouraging Aboriginal people to donate blood and see if their stem cells match anyone in need of a bone marrow transplant.

 

Today, SIGA is participating in a blood donation with Canadian Blood Services.

 

Lillian Denton is Director of Employee Health & Wellness at SIGA.

 

She says many people in the Aboriginal community have seen people who have needed blood transfusions and transplants.

 

Denton says one employee who had leukemia just celebrated the fourth anniversary of a successful stem cell transplant.

 

She says he has since gotten married, has a child on the way and is back at work.

 

Denton says there is a huge need for stem cell matches for patients to receive bone marrow transplants.

 

There are currently five Aboriginal patients in the country waiting for a match — and only 0.9% of Canada’s searchable stem cell donors are of Aboriginal ancestry.

 

The clinics take place today and Thursday.