Brayden Ross is looking for a bone marrow match.
The 17-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in January and is currently undergoing treatment at the IWK Children’s hospital in Halifax.
“Getting a donor is his only chance at beating this,” said Melissa Robertson, Ross’s girlfriend.
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Robertson and Ross started dating in grade 9.
He is a high school senior as well as a member of the hockey and rugby team at the North Nova Education Centre in New Glasgow, N.S.
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Robertson is currently in her first year of nursing but has taken the semester off to be with Ross in Halifax.
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Robertson says Ross’s immediate family – his mother, father and two younger brothers – were not a match for him, which is why they now need to search for one.
The goal is to be able to find a successful bone marrow match for Ross as soon as possible, so when the teen goes into remission, a donor will be available.
Robertson is hopeful people will get tested to see if they are a bone marrow match for Ross.
“It’s just really important to get as many people in the database as possible,” she said.
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A One Match bone marrow drive will be held on Thursday at the NSCC located in Stellarton, N.S. A bus has been organized and will depart St.F.X. University in order to help students get tested.
In addition, there are multiple clinics around the province and a kit can also be sent to your home. The process to be tested isn’t intrusive and only involves swabbing the corners of your mouth.
Even if you aren’t a match for Ross, the information goes into a data bank that can be accessed around the world.
For more information on the donation process you can visit the Canadian Blood Services site.
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