Searching for stem cell donors

Fifth-year Medical Sciences student Natalie Hicks participated in the Stem Cell Drive in Market Hall on Friday, Jan. 19. Hicks is a volunteer with the Brock Stem Cell Club and was having her cheek swabbed for the first time. The event encouraged students to swab the inside of their cheek to have their information added to the Canadian OneMatch database of potential stem cell donors. The probability of finding a donor is extremely low, and the growth of the database will help to increase the likelihood of finding appropriate matches for those in need. When participants are notified that they are a match, they are free to choose at that time if they would like to donate their stem cells. Another Stem Cell Drive will take place in Market Hall on Friday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any questions can be sent to brockstemcellclub@gmail.com