Computer Science student Kelly Moylan gets swabbed to be a potential stem cell or marrow donor.

Brock’s first OneMatch community swabbing event was a “great success,” organizers say.

There were 283 people swabbed for potential stem cell and marrow donation. The clinic, hosted by the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, was held at Pond Inlet on Monday, Oct. 31.

“Brock and the community gave 283 reasons for people awaiting stem cells to have hope,” said Bryan Booth, a Community Health Sciences student who organized the event with Canadian Blood Services. “Both Brock and the community stepped up to the challenge and I am very grateful.”

Stem cells and marrow are used to treat patients with a variety of ailments, including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. There are currently about 959 Canadian patients awaiting stem cell matches.

Second-year Accounting student Oylanda Duong attended the clinic to be a potential donor.

“I know there are a lot of people who need stem cells, and it’s not a hard process,” she said.

Shalynn Ramsden, a fourth-year English Language and Literature student, volunteered at the event because “it’s a good cause,” she said.

“It’s something small we can do to help save a life.”

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• Brock hosting stem cell donor clinic

Oylanda Duong, a second-year Accounting student, participated in the OneMatch swabbing event.