Promotional Material

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Dorothy’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Caption to post with event poster: We are excited to share this event with you! Stem Cell Club Manitoba and the University of Manitoba’s Black Medical Students’ Association are holding an event called Black Stem Cells Matter. In honour of Black History Month, they are holding this event as a part of a national campaign to help recruit Black stem cell donors.

Patients who need a stem cell transplant are more likely to find a suitable donor from someone of the same ethnic background. However, less than 3% of registered donors are Black whereas 70% are Caucasian! This means that Black patients who are in need of a stem cell transplant to save their life are less likely to find a match! This is why it is so important that we recruit more Black donors so that we can have an ethnically diverse registry to help increase the chance that patients are able to find a donor.

Dr. Craig Speziali, a Winnipeg hematologist, will be speaking during this event about what stem cells are, how stem cell donation works, and the importance of having ethnically diverse donors. This will be followed by a talk from Dr. Warren Fingrut, the national stem cell club director, who will explain how the process of registering as a donor works and provide additional resources. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. To finish off the night, we will be doing a prize raffle!

Everyone is welcome to attend this event, whether you are Black or not, we welcome you all to learn more about this life saving treatment! To RSVP for the event, please go to https://mmsa.online/event/black-stem-cells-matter/. You will then receive an email closer to the event date with the Zoom meeting information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to DM @stemcellclub_mb on Instagram or email them at stemcellclub.mb@gmail.com

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Dorothy’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives. 

Caption for infographic: Black patients are much less likely than White patients to find a fully matched unrelated stem cell donor, a match that could save their lives. Only 16-19% of Black patients in need have a matched unrelated donor, compared to 75% of White patients. More Black donors are needed to help close this gap

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Dorothy’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives.

Caption to post with fact: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing some key facts about stem cell donation and the racial disparity Black patients face. Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives.

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Dorothy’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives.

Caption to post with fact: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing some key facts about stem cell donation and the racial disparity Black patients face. Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives.

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Dorothy’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Caption to post with tiktok: Visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives to learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor and help save a life!

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Dorothy’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

How are stem cells donated?

Caption to post with picture:

How are stem cells donated?

There are two ways in which stem cells can be donated:

1. Blood—90% of the time stem cells are obtained from a simple procedure that is similar to giving blood. A growth factor is used to increase stem cell count in blood, which is then collected in a procedure taking around 4-6 hours.

If matched with a patient, a physician will decide which method is best suited under the circumstances at hand. See the images below for details on how each procedure is performed.

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

How are stem cells donated?

Caption to post with picture:

How are stem cells donated?

There are two ways in which stem cells can be donated:

          2. Bone marrow—stem cell donation from bone marrow is necessary less than   10% of the time. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and donors who have undergone bone marrow donation report the feeling post-donation to be similar to falling on ice.

If matched with a patient, a physician will decide which method is best suited under the circumstances at hand. See the images below for details on how each procedure is performed.

Caption to post with fact: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing some key facts about stem cell donation and the racial disparity Black patients face. Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Caption to post with TikTok: An urgent need for increased diversity: Black people make up 3.4% of Canada’s population but only make up <2% on Canada’s stem cell registry. Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Caption to post with fact: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing some key facts about stem cell donation and the racial disparity Black patients face.

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Caption for TikTok: Patients requiring stem cell transplants are more likely to find matches within their own ethnic community. Visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives to learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor and help save a life!

Caption for TikTok: Patients requiring stem cell transplants are more likely to find matches within their own ethnic community. Visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives to learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor and help save a life!

Sylvia’s Video

Caption for Sylvia’s video: A sit down moment- Black donors urgently needed.

Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Quote from Dorothy

Stem cell transplantation is a miracle for patients and I wish people knew how easy it is to be a stem cell donor. Everyone needs to do their part and help someone else in need. If you are between the ages of 17-35, please do your part and help someone today. You could give someone an opportunity like my sister gave me, to be around and live the life I want. People want to live, so if that gift is in your hands, I appeal to you to see it as something significant to do in your life.

Dorothy Vernon-Brown

Revee’s Story

Caption to post with story: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing Revee’s story. To learn more about stem cell donation and how can you register to be a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives 

Ade’s Video

Download

Caption for Ade’s video: Black patients who need a stem cell transplant are less than half as likely as Caucasian patients to find a matched unrelated donor.

“ You could make a brighter day…today a Black life needs you”- Adeoluwa.

Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives

Caption to post with video: Watch this whiteboard video to learn more about blood stem cell donation, how it helps patients in need, how the matching process works, and what donation looks like. Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives

Caption to post with fact: In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing some key facts about stem cell donation and the racial disparity Black patients face.

Caption to post with TikTok: Now what? To learn more about how you can become a stem cell donor, visit blood.ca/black-donors-save-lives

Freida Tiktok #1

Did you know? Gay, Bi, and Queer men are eligible to register as stem cell donors in Canada and donate to a patient in need, regardless of who they have sex with. “That means, you can help save a life, regardless of who may be in your bed. Or on your couch… in the backseat…” Freida Whales @Freidawhales

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Freida Tiktok #2

This Pride, Gay, Bi, and Queer men across Canada are working together to get the word out that their communities can save the lives of patients in need. To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Freda Tiktok #3

Did you know? Gay, Bi, and Queer men are eligible to register as stem cell donors in Canada and donate to a patient in need, regardless of who they have sex with. 

“That means, you can help save a life, regardless of who may be in your bed. Or on your couch… in the backseat…” Freida Whales @Freidawhales

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Freda Tiktok #4

This Pride, Gay, Bi, and Queer men across Canada are working together to get the word out that their communities can save the lives of patients in need. To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Swab the World TikTok

When I learn that Queer men in Canada can register to be stem cell donors without deferral based on recent sexual contact #CantStopJiggin’ #BowBowBow

Justin Saint Video

“Did you know, that gay men can donate lifesaving stem cells, regardless of recent sexual contact???… Well, neither did I!” – Queer Cosplayer Justin Saint, @gaymerqueen

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Justin Saint Infographic

“Did you know, that gay men can donate lifesaving stem cells, regardless of recent sexual contact???… Well, neither did I!” – Queer Cosplayer Justin Saint, @gaymerqueen

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Swab the world video

“As a multi-ethnic and gay man, I decided to register for the stem cell registry to make a difference in my community…We CAN become stem cell donors. We CAN make a difference.”

– Samuél, medical student, Université de Montréal

Ivan Drag group video

“This pride, we unite, to help raise awareness in our community… It is time to reflect and make a difference. Save a life, be a stem cell donor”  Sanjina Dabish Queen (@sanjinadabishqueen), Shay Dee (@msshaydee), Loli Fantasia (@loli.fantasia)

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Ivan TikTok

“This pride, we unite, to help raise awareness in our community… It is time to reflect and make a difference. Save a life, be a stem cell donor”  Sanjina Dabish Queen (@sanjinadabishqueen), Shay Dee (@msshaydee), Loli Fantasia (@loli.fantasia)

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Joel shares his journey from diagnosis with blood cancer through to stem cell transplantation and recovery. Read his story here.

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Joel shares his journey from diagnosis with blood cancer through to stem cell transplantation and recovery. Read his story here.

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

“Susan’s life was saved by an unrelated stem cell donor. She went on to meet her donor, William, and his boyfriend, two years after the transplant. Read her story here.

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

“Susan’s life was saved by an unrelated stem cell donor. She went on to meet her donor, William, and his boyfriend, two years after the transplant. Read her story here:

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Arjun Law Video

Listen to statements from Transplant Hematologists across Canada in support of gay, bi, and queer men as donors

“Race, background, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity… stem cells look the same, no matter where they come from. If you are eligible, know that you will be treated with the respect and honour we extend to all to all our patients and that we will do everything in our power to keep our donors safe and that our patients get the best possible care” Dr. Arjun Law, Transplant Hematologist, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto ON

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

David Allan Video

Listen to statements from Transplant Hematologists across Canada in support of gay, bi, and queer men as donors

“Many gay, bi, and queer men are eligible to register and indeed many have already joined, and some have even donated stem cells that have saved the lives of patients with blood cancers and other blood-related diseases… I also want to reassure and emphasize that collection teams at our specialized collection centres will treat donors with the highest levels of respect and courtesy, indeed as heroes of their unselfish gift that can truly save a life.” Dr. David Allan, Medical Director, Stem Cells, Canadian Blood Services, and Transplant Hematologist, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Testimonials

Listen to testimonials from gay, bisexual, and queer men across Canada, explaining why they think the campaign is needed and what it means to them.

To learn more, check out stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.

Ivan Bokanegra (Ms. Shay Dee): “What do I think of gay/bi/queer men who donate stem cells to save patients’ lives? I think them as like heroes… I encourage them to sign up, because I know a lot of people are not well known of this topic.”

Tyson Cook (Freida Whales): “I support this campaign, becuase I think its important to get the message out to as many queer men as possible that they are allowed to donate stem cells… if a gay, bi, or queer man were to donate stem cells and save a life, that would just be fabulous!”

Infographic

To learn more about stem cell donation for gay, bi, and queer men (and other men who have sex with men), check out the infographic below and visit stemcellclub.ca/savingliveswithpride.