Cathy Anagnostopoulos and her family

An associate professor of Community Health Sciences is holding an event this weekend to try to save the life of her best friend.

Evangelia Tsiani is holding a community swabbing event in St. Catharines on Sunday, April 17. Cathy Anagnostopoulos, a 44-year-old pharmacist and godmother to one of Tsiani’s children, has Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The only cure is a stem cell transplant.

None of Anagnostopoulos’ siblings are a match, Tsiani said. Her only hope is to find an unrelated donor. Anyone aged 17 to 50 can join the Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registry. If someone matches Anagnostopoulos, the transplant procedure is often similar to donating blood, Tsiani said.

The event is to raise awareness and find a potential match. To participate, you’ll answer a short health questionnaire and rub a swab on the inside of your cheek.

The event is at Saint Katharine Greek Orthodox Church Greek Community Centre at 585 Niagara St. in St. Catharines from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit helpsavecathy.com

• Event poster (PDF)
• The waiting game: Family seeks compatible stem-cell donor after deadly cancer strikes | healthzone.ca