Blood service appeals to black community
February 1, 2010
Theresa Boyle
HEALTH REPORTER
Canadian Blood Services is marking Black History Month with an appeal to the black community to donate more blood and stem cells.
Noting that patients are more likely to find suitable donors in their own communities, Hailu Mulatu, of Canadian Blood Services, said cell donors are under-represented in the black community.
Thirty-two black Canadians with cancer need stem cell transplants, 24 of them from Ontario, he said.
Stem cells are harvested from bone marrow or can be taken from a donor's circulating blood.
Type B blood is more often found among black people, while types O and A are more prevalent in the rest of the population.
To register as a stem cell donor, you must provide a DNA sample through a swab of cells from inside your cheek. A swab clinic is planned on Thursday at the North York Civic Centre. All registering as stem cell donors are asked to also give blood.
Toronto Star
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