Canada blood agency looking for donors of African and Caribbean heritage

More blood and stem cell donors from the black community are needed, according to Canada’s blood agency.

Canadian Blood Services have called on those of African and Caribbean heritage to register as blood and stem cell donors through its One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network.

Lives are being lost, especially in the case of sickle cell disease, which predominantly affects people of African heritage. Sickle cell disease is inherited and results in red blood cells starving tissues of oxygen.

People with the disease can suffer from a shortened lifespan, infections, bone pain and damage to the organs.

A stem cell transplant, which replaces the dangerous red blood cells with regular ones, can cure sickle cell disease.

The problem is, stem cell transplants require an accurate match from a donor of the same ethnic background.

The current donor registries are lacking enough donors of African and Caribbean descent, the blood agency is hoping a new campaign will help raise awareness.

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