Blood cancer survivor helps organize second annual North Bay stem cell swab clinic
Colin Vickers knows first-hand that a 10-minute cheek swab could save someone’s life.
Colin Vickers is a blood cancer survivor from North Bay, Ont. Vickers had two kinds of blood cancer which turned into acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large amount of abnormal blood cells. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontairo)
The blood cancer survivor told CTV News that he is hoping a few hundred people in North Bay will freely give up a few minutes of their time for a quick swab to see if they’re a stem cell match for someone in desperate need of treatment.
“I know of people in this town who have had stem cell transplants,” said Vickers.
“It could be a young child. It could be a woman. It could be a guy is working out in the mines.”
Vickers had two kinds of blood cancer which turned into acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large amount of abnormal blood cells.
Having received a stem cell transplant in October 2021 at Health Sciences North in Greater Sudbury, Ont., from a donor in Scotland, he's now cancer-free.
“This expression goes, I got goosebumps. I have them right now,” said Vickers.
“It was really exciting because there really wasn't much hope without that.”
Anyone aged 17-35 can swab their cheeks to get into the Canadian Blood Services’ national database to be a potential donor. Most transplants are achieved using unrelated donors.
Anyone aged 17-35 can swab their cheeks to get into the Canadian Blood Services’ national database to be a potential donor. A male post-secondary student is shown swabbing his mouth. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontairo)
“We're putting the push on to get people in our community,” Vickers said.
There are several kinds of blood cancer and about 80 types of other medical conditions that can be treated with stem cells and unfortunately even when a patient finds a match, half of them turn out to be unavailable to donate.
According to the Canadian Blood Services, there are around 1,200 patients living in Canada who are waiting for a transplant, which is only possible with a match.
“We search the Canadian and the international registry at the same time because chances are someone may find a match in a different country, specifically if their ethnic background from somewhere else,” said Chris van Doorn a community development manager with the Canadian Blood Services.
Four swabs are in the kit to collect DNA samples from all four corners of one’s mouth. The kits are then sent to a lab to be tested.
Four swabs are in the stem cell test kit to collect DNA samples from all four corners of one’s mouth. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“We take DNA markers off the swab, six of them, and we put them on the registry. When we're searching for a patient, we try and match those six to the patient,” van Doorn said.
“If a donor matches them, we'll call them and try and match for more.”
Vickers said he hoping to register 300 people at four swabbing clinics at Canadore College and Nipissing University. Along with the Canadian Blood Services, the university and the college, he helped organize a swabbing clinic at both schools last year – where more than 160 people volunteered to have their cheek swabbed.
“It’s all about the more we can help people out at any give time,” said Vickers.
The clinics are scheduled:
- From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 26 at Canadore College’s Education Centre Campus on College Drive, outside the bookstore.
- From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Nipissing University’s Surtees Athletic Centre, in the foyer.
- From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Canadore College’s Commerce Court, outside of the cafeteria.
For general information about stem cell donation or to register in the database, visit the Canadian Blood Services’ website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING India withdraws Canada envoy named in probe, expels diplomats
India ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats on Monday and withdrew its own envoy from Canada, in response to what it said was Ottawa's decision to name him and others as 'persons of interest' in an investigation.
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
Undercooked bear meat linked to outbreak of rare parasitic disease in U.S.
An outbreak of a rare parasitic disease has been linked to undercooked bear meat eaten by dozens of people at a gathering in North Carolina, a new U.S. CDC report has revealed.
Canadian drink company tastes controversy after Simu Liu raises cultural appropriation questions
Controversy bubbled for a Canadian drink company after its founders drew the ire of a Marvel superhero on an episode of a 'Shark Tank'-style reality series.
'We apologize to anyone we've offended': Bath and Body Works pulls candles over backlash
A major American retailer has stopped selling its new winter-themed candle over backlash from shoppers who said its design resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods.
Striking images show rare floods in the largest hot desert on Earth
Striking images from the Sahara Desert show large lakes etched into rolling sand dunes after one of the most arid, barren places in the world was hit with its first floods in decades.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
NASA spacecraft rockets toward Jupiter's moon Europa in search of the right conditions for life
A NASA spacecraft rocketed away Monday on a quest to explore Jupiter’s tantalizing moon Europa and reveal whether its vast hidden ocean might hold the keys to life.
British content creator dies trying to climb Spain’s highest bridge
A 26-year-old British man has died after falling from Spain’s tallest bridge during an attempt to climb one of its pylons.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Barrie
-
OPP officer makes unusual discovery during traffic stop, driver charged
Provincial police remind motorists about the importance of buckling up after an officer discovered a passenger sitting on a kitchen chair inside the vehicle during a traffic stop in the Town of the Blue Mountains.
-
Study: Barrie last in mortgage-free homeowners
A recent study ranks Barrie last among large Canadian cities regarding homeowners who have paid off their mortgage.
-
Three youths charged for alleged theft, property destruction
Three teenagers are facing multiple charges for allegedly damaging property, a vehicle, a recreation centre and stealing a vehicle this weekend in Muskoka.
Toronto
-
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
-
Drugs and weapons found after 911 call about altercation in Oshawa: Durham police
Durham police say two men are facing drug and weapon charges after somebody called police about a late-night altercation in Oshawa.
-
$250,000 worth of jewelry stolen from Bowmanville Airbnb, 4 suspects charged: police
Four guests at an Airbnb east of Toronto made off with a quarter of million dollars worth of jewelry following their stay, police say.
Ottawa
-
Man suffers life-threatening burns in alleged downtown assault
The Ottawa Police Service is investigating a possible assault that left one man with serious burns on Monday morning.
-
Here's what's open and closed in Ottawa on Thanksgiving
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what's open and closed in Ottawa over the Thanksgiving weekend.
-
Ottawa Mission anticipates serving over 16,000 Thanksgiving meals to those in need
On Monday, the Mission will be capping off its annual Thanksgiving feast with a meal for anyone who needs one from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kitchener
-
Elderly man killed in Guelph house fire: police
According to police, when officers arrived they found the house fully engulfed in flames and were unable to make entry.
-
Suspicious device reported in New Hamburg
Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after someone reported a strange device in New Hamburg.
-
How to watch the Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day parade
CTV News will be livestreaming the Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day parade.
London
-
One dead, three injured after crash in St. Clair Township
One person has died and three others were transported to hospital following a three-vehicle collision in St. Clair Township
-
'Can play 365 days a year': 9-court indoor Pickleball Facility to open this week in London, Ont.
Smash Pickleball is the region’s only indoor facility dedicated specifically to the sport.
-
Thanksgiving forecast for London. Ont.
London, Ont. residents and visitors are getting a slightly colder Thanksgiving Day.
Windsor
-
37-year-old man dies after crash in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent police say a 37-year-old Merlin man has died after a two-vehicle collision.
-
Leamington Marina upgrades set to begin, boats must be removed
Upgrades to the Leamington Marina parking lot are scheduled to begin this week.
-
Fall colours in Ontario: Warmer than normal temperatures lead to duller autumn
An especially warm fall in Ontario means the province may not get the colourful array of fall foliage that usually transforms treetops this time of year.
Montreal
-
Longueuil gets permit to go ahead with deer cull in local park that has been overrun
A Montreal suburb has received a provincial Environment Department permit to go ahead with a long-awaited white-tailed deer cull in a local park that has become overrun with them.
-
Montreal police investigating criminal fire in Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Firefighters with the Montreal Fire Service extinguished a two-alarm fire at a vacant building in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough on Sunday night.
-
Residents evacuated after fire in Plateau-Mont-Royal
A fire early Monday morning forced the evacuation of 21 people from a three-story building in Plateau-Mont-Royal.
Winnipeg
-
Picture-perfect engagement under Manitoba northern lights
Sometimes love is written in the stars, but for one couple, it’s written in the aurora borealis.
-
Canadian comedian, talk show host Mike Bullard dead at 67
Canadian stand-up comedian and former talk show host Mike Bullard has died.
-
Manitoba animal advocacy group helps release dogs from animal testing
A pack of dogs put their best paws forward when they were finally unleashed from a lifetime of animal testing.
Atlantic
-
Son charged with second-degree murder in death of 71-year-old woman in Halifax
Halifax police have charged a 41-year-old man in the death of his mother.
-
Nova Scotia Power crew on the ground assisting with power restoration in Tampa
Power line technicians from Nova Scotia are on the ground in Tampa, Fla., assisting in power restoration after Hurricanes Helene and Milton barreled across the state, leaving extensive damage and millions in the dark.
-
Twenty years after fatal Halifax cargo jet crash, safety improvements lag
The October 14th, 2004, plane crash at the edge of the Halifax airport heightened concerns about crew fatigue and training, but two decades later, key safety improvements have not been made.
N.L.
-
How gloves belonging to Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wound up in Newfoundland
A five-hour drive from St. John's, N.L., and well off the beaten path, Point Leamington seems an unlikely spot for a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction.
-
'Crack houses' across rural Newfoundland? RCMP has no reports supporting MP's claim
A Conservative MP from Newfoundland and Labrador says some small towns in his rural riding are overrun with crime, but police say they haven't received reports to that effect.
-
Self-identifying Indigenous group got $74M in federal cash, Inuit leader wants change
As millions in federal funding flow into a Labrador group whose claims of Inuit identity have been rejected by Indigenous organizations across Canada, a national Inuit leader worries the Liberal government is putting the rights of Indigenous Peoples at risk.
Calgary
-
'Affects us all': Food insecurity the focus of Thanksgiving walk in Calgary
Hundreds of Calgarians gathered together on Thanksgiving Monday to fight food insecurity with a charity walk for The Calgary Food Bank.
-
Alberta government proposing additional restrictions on wind and solar energy
The Alberta government is proposing additional restrictions on wind and solar farms that conservationists think are more about limiting renewable energy than protecting the environment.
-
Oilers look to correct mistakes in midst of early-season struggles
It was 11 months ago when Kris Knoblauch was brought in to coach the beleaguered Edmonton Oilers, who were near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 3-9-1 record.
Edmonton
-
Driver killed in head-on crash with semi in Athabasca County
RCMP say one person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Athabasca County on Sunday evening.
-
Alberta government proposing additional restrictions on wind and solar energy
The Alberta government is proposing additional restrictions on wind and solar farms that conservationists think are more about limiting renewable energy than protecting the environment.
-
Oilers look to correct mistakes in midst of early-season struggles
It was 11 months ago when Kris Knoblauch was brought in to coach the beleaguered Edmonton Oilers, who were near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 3-9-1 record.
Regina
-
Catch a glimpse of a rare comet in the western skies over the prairies
Saskatchewan residents have just a few more days to catch a rare glimpse of a comet visible to the naked eye, streaking across the western skies at dusk.
-
Sask Party defends Marshals Service after facing criticism from RCMP union
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe is accusing the union representing RCMP members of looking after its own interests.
-
Angus Street fire produces pillar of black smoke, fire crews respond
Residents travelling in Regina's north end were sure to witness a large pillar of smoke Sunday morning, as fire crews battled a serious blaze on Angus Street.
Saskatoon
-
Catch a glimpse of a rare comet in the western skies over the prairies
Saskatchewan residents have just a few more days to catch a rare glimpse of a comet visible to the naked eye, streaking across the western skies at dusk.
-
Here's how ballots are being printed for Saskatchewan's upcoming provincial election
Just under one million ballots are being printed for the upcoming provincial election in Saskatchewan, and 27 out of the 61 constituencies currently have their ballots being pulled hot off the presses in Regina.
-
Vancouver
-
B.C. Indigenous chef takes portable cooking school on the road
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Chef Paul Natrall, the man behind Indigenous food truck Mr. Bannock, is bringing cooking classes on First Nations fare to schools and offices throughout Metro Vancouver.
-
Lack of salmon may not be the problem after all for endangered orcas, report suggests
A key assumption about dwindling numbers of southern resident killer whales pins the blame on a lack of salmon, but a study out of the University of British Columbia has found they have twice the number of chinook available in summer as their much healthier cousins, the northern residents.
-
B.C. Conservatives release education policy plans ahead of election day
The B.C. Conservatives have unveiled their education policy plans about six days before the Oct. 19 voting day.
Vancouver Island
-
Emaciated orca calf spotted off Vancouver Island, researchers say
Just a couple of weeks after a new southern resident killer whale calf was first seen, its health appears to have taken a bad turn.
-
Familiar faces and angry voters: Will B.C. elect an Independent MLA?
Vicki Huntington says two things are critical to be elected as an Independent member of the legislature in British Columbia — trusted name recognition and an angry constituency.
-
Rainfall warnings, flood watch issued in northwestern B.C.
B.C.’s northern coast has been getting soaked by an atmospheric river over the Thanksgiving long weekend, with officials warning of heavy downpours and possible flooding.
