Stem Cell Challenge Coming to Communities in the NWT

R(16)438 – Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Stem Cell Challenge clinics have been organized in the Northwest Territories by the Yellowknife Fire Department (YKFD) and Medic North in support of the First Annual National EMS Stem Cell Challenge.

The nationwide challenge is aimed at registering healthy, committed Canadians, aged 17 – 50, on the National Stem Cell and Marrow Network maintained by the Canadian Blood Services’ OneMatch program. The Network serves a vital role across Canada in matching potential donors with compatible recipients who need stem cell or marrow transplants. With fewer than 30% of patients who need transplants finding compatible matches in their own family, there is a significant and pressing need to add to the database to ensure that all patients are able to find compatible donors.“I would like to thank the YKFD, Medic North and everyone else involved in organizing this challenge,” said Minister of Health and Social Services Sandy Lee. “In the NWT and nationally, there continues to be a shortage of donors for patients who require these life-saving treatments. I encourage all NWT residents to give the gift of life by joining the network.”

Joining the network is painless and easy, and requires only a simple cheek swab at a local clinic. The Canadian Blood Services will analyze each swab and post the results on the network. If there is a match, the potential donor will be contacted.

The schedule in Yellowknife is:

• May 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Center Square Mall)
• May 21st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Yellowknife Co-Op)

To date, 380 people in Yellowknife have joined the network.

Residents in Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, and Behchoko can contact their local Fire and Ambulance Services for details of clinics in their communities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to the goal of healthy, educated people, as part of the 16th Assembly’s strategic vision of Northerners Working Together.

A priority in the Health and Social Services action plan A Foundation for Change is to enable the health care system to deliver the right services through the right providers in the right places.

For more informat
ion, contact:

Damien Healy
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Tel: (867) 920-8927