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Héma-Québec celebrates 10,000th cord blood donation

Mai Duong smiles following a news conference in Montreal, Tuesday, September 16, 2014.
Mai Duong smiles following a news conference in Montreal, Tuesday, September 16, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL – Héma-Québec reached a milestone Monday – receiving its 10,000th donation of cord blood.

READ MORE: Molecule boosts stem cells in cord blood: study

The blood found in umbilical cords is especially rich in stem cells, which can help patients who suffer from cancer and other diseases regain healthy blood and immune systems.

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READ MORE: Mai Duong celebrates one year after cord blood transplant

The organization is especially looking for non-Caucasian donors as just 20 per cent of the samples they receive come from ethnic minorities.

WATCH: Saving lives with cord blood donations
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It’s a predicament that Montreal mother Mai Duong understands wholeheartedly.

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READ MORE: Montreal mother Mai Duong back home after new stem cells

Duong, who was diagnosed with leukemia, got a second chance at life back in September of last year when a mother donated her newborn child’s umbilical cord blood.

READ MORE: Montreal mother finds much needed cord blood donor

She was supposed to be on hand for the announcement, but had come down with the chicken pox.

READ MORE: ‘I’ve been very lucky’: Mai Duong doing well 7 months after stem cell transplant

Héma-Québec emphasized that it is always looking for donors and expecting mothers can complete the paperwork to donate within minutes.

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