With several blood clinics in and around Kemptville in the near future – Canadian Blood Services is bringing awareness to other ways to save lives.
The next blood clinic in North Grenville on June 3rd is all booked up, but the organization is hoping residents might consider registering to be a stem cell donor.
With the pandemic, Territory Manager MaryAnn Lalonde says they’ve been unable to host in-person stem cell clinics, and the need for donations has skyrocketed.
“People between the ages of 17-35 can head to our website, click on ‘Stem Cells’, and you can order a kit to your own home,” Lalonde said. “You swab the inside of your cheek, fill out some information and send it back to us.”
In order to be eligible, Lalonde says you need to be in good general health, free of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B and C, and free of issues such as cancer, blood diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes, and certain heart conditions.
You also need to be a willing donor to any patient in need.
“You can find a blood donation event in your community and there’s lots of information about stem cells on our website, and you can find out information about how to join our registry,” Lalonde said.
For those that missed out on booking an appointment on June 3rd, there will be another blood clinic on June 14 in North Gower at the Alfred Taylor Recreational Facility, and there are still openings available.
North Grenville’s next clinic is July 8th at the Kemptville Campus.
For more information on blood and stem cell donations, head here.