Younger Donors Wanted: Age requirement changes for stem cell donor database

CALGARY – For the nearly one thousand Canadians trying to find a matching stem cell donor, all it takes is one special person.

That perfect match can come from anyone, but according to Canadian Blood Services – the organization that operates “One Match” – its most likely to come from someone under the age of 35.

“Canadian Blood Services, One Match has changed the age range from stem cell donors because quite simply patients get a better result from younger stem cell donors,” says Executive Director Sue Smith.

Until recently, the One Match database was open to most people between the ages of 17 and 50 – but as of July 1, 2013 only people age 17 to 35 can register to donate.

“We’re also focusing at one match on young male donors because 3 out of 4 times surgeons will choose male donors because males have been tied to better transplants as well.”

The agency is also targeting donors from Canada’s indigenous community. 

“Inuit, metis and first nations,” Smith explains. “Because that’s where there’s the greatest gap and we cannot find those kinds of donors anywhere else in the world.”

People who have already registered to donate will remain in the database until they turn 60.

For more information on how to become a stem cell donor visit onematch.ca