Black History Month used to raise blood donor awareness

February is Black History Month in Toronto and one organization is trying to spread the message that ethnic differences may not be just skin deep - they are in the blood, too.

"Type B (blood) is very common within the black community and is very rare in Caucasians," said Hailu Mulatu, Canadian Blood Services donor management co-ordinator.

Canadian Blood Services is rallying the black community to give blood and stem cells in an effort to raise the supply of much-needed Type B blood, which is also common in Asian and Hispanic communities.

Statistics provided by Canadian Blood Services indicate that only about 0.5 per cent of its registered donors identify themselves as black, which means people with Type B blood are desperately needed to register for blood and stem cell donations.

Mulatu and his team are using Black History Month to raise awareness about the need for people of different ethnicities to donate and are hosting a blood donor clinic and OneMatch Buccal Swab Event at the North York Civic Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 4.

Along with blood donation, people can register with OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network to be considered when patients with life-threatening conditions like Sickle Cell Anemia and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia need stem cell transplants.

Registration involves filling out a few forms and giving a DNA sample by means of a cheek swab.

More information can be found by calling 1-888-2-DONATE.

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