Bone Marrow From An Aboriginal Canadian May Be Best Match For Baby With Rare Genetic Disorder

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Also Included In: Genetics;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 31 Aug 2010 - 1:00 PDT

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Bone marrow from a matched Aboriginal Canadian donor may be the best chance Harold and Lindsey Bost's daughter, Leona, has for survival. The five-month-old was born with Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia (CHH). CHH is a rare genetic disorder characterised by short stature, fine, sparse hair, and immunodeficiency requiring bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.

The Bosts, who live in Vanastra, Ontario, are being supported in their search for a donor by Canadian Blood Services' OneMatch Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Network. They have also become advocates of the need for more Aboriginal Canadians to register in the program and possibly be the one match to help save a life-like their daugher's. Registration with OneMatch is the first step for a committed potential donor who wishes to help any patient in need.

To spread the word about Leona's need for a match, a blood donation and DNA sample collection clinic was held in Clinton, Ontaio on Thursday, August 26. A total of 78 units of blood and 30 DNA samples were collected. The DNA samples will be sent for processing and their owners contacted to complete their registration with OneMatch. In addition, considering that each unit can help or save three lives, the 78 units of blood collected can potentially touch the lives of up to 234 patients-patients like Leona's brother Kaiden. Kaidin, who also suffers from CHH and may require blood transfusions as part of his therapy as he undergoes his own marrow transplant. Canadian residents should call Canadian Blood Services at 1 888 236-6283 to book an appointment to give blood or learn more about OneMatch.

- Of the Bost's four children, only Leona and older brother Kaidin, age four, have CHH; however, for Kaidin, a related match has been found in older brother Logan, age five.

- As there is currently no match within the family for Leona, Lindsey and Harold are depending on OneMatch to help locate an unrelated match. A donor of North American Aboriginal heritage will likely be Leona's best match. Leona has a unique antigen from father, Harold, who is Native North American. Mother Lindsey is Caucasian.

- There is disparity between Caucasian and ethnically-diverse communities like Aboriginal Canadians

- To accurately reflect the changing face of Canada, we need more potential donors from diverse backgrounds such as the Jewish Community, Asians, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Blacks, Latin Americans, as well as Aboriginal Canadians.

- OneMatch is looking for people who are willing to donate stem cells and/or bone marrow to anyone in the world who may need this lifesaving gift. This includes the more than 800 Canadians who await transplants so that they may survive diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and many other serious cancers and blood diseases.

Source:
Canadian Blood Services

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