Stem cell drive launches Thursday afternoon for London cancer patient
Global News
Ted Simkovich was previously diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and, more recently, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He is in need of a stem cell transplant following treatment.
On Thursday afternoon, a stem cell drive is being held in north London to honour a resident who has been diagnosed with two types of cancer.
Londoner Ted Simkovich was previously diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and, more recently, acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, both diseases originate in the blood’s stem cells, which are defined as “immature cells” that can develop into any cells in the bloodstream, according to Canadian Blood Services. Without stem cells, the body cannot produce the blood cells needed for the immune system to function properly.
Following his treatment, Simkovich will need a transplant.
Moriah Gerofsky, Simkovich’s niece, is an organizer of the drive which is held in affiliation with Canadian Blood Services.
“I am involved in a club at my university where we run blood drives and some cell drives. So, when my uncle needed a stem cell transplant, this was a great opportunity to run a drive back in London,” she said.
The drive will be running at the Chabad House at 1114 Richmond St. from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gerofsky said that this is a drop-in style drive that will take less than 10 minutes.
“We will be swabbing those between 17 and 35, as those in this age group have been shown to produce the most optimal patient outcomes,” she said.
