MONTREAL - Hundreds of people showed up at Concordia’s Hall Building Wednesday to help save a young child.
Each one waited their turn to have a swab scratched along the inside of their cheek, a first step in joining the bone marrow registry, something that could hopefully find a match for Jayden Roll.
The four-year-old girl was diagnosed in February with a life-threatening blood disease, which might be cured with a bone marrow transplant.
Her family was delighted with the turnout.
“I can't believe the response and the caring for my granddaughter, my precious granddaughter,” said Donna Goodman.
One donor explained that it’s the ethic of reciprocity that fuels them.
“If the situations were reversed we'd want someone to help us. We have two little ones as well, so it's close to heart,” said donor Chris Vounasis.
The organizer was also hopeful that a match could be found from among those assembled.
“I feel people do blood drives all the time, but there's not enough awareness about different forms of cancer, so that's where it all started,” said drive organizer Stephanie Kligman.
