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A desperate family in Winnipeg has called on the Filipino community to find a life-saving stem cell match – the only treatment for a teenager living with two rare blood diseases.
Roshlind Mance, 16, is confined to her home in Calgary. She only goes to the hospital for blood transfusions.
"I felt sad, scared, lost and alone," Roshlind told CTV Winnipeg.
"An illness is quite difficult to treat and I have two."
This summer, Roshlind was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and nocturnal paroxysmal hemoglobinuria or PNH.
The only cure for life-threatening blood disorders is a stem cell transplant.
Roshlind said that knowing that her family was doing everything in her power to save her life kept her strong.
"It would mean the world for me just to see what people care about," she said.
Roshlind's sisters were tested, but they did not fit.
"I can not stop until I find this match for my sister," Adrienne San Juan said.
Roshlind's chances are slim, his best chance now is to match a person of the same ethnicity.
Canadian Blood Services told CTV News that only 0.9% of the database of adult stem cell donors is Filipino.
To increase his chances, the family organized a donor event for stem cell donors in Edmonton last weekend.
But Joel San Juan, Roshlind's uncle, said Winnipeg's rapidly growing Filipino community had about 53,000 residents.
Roshlind is the best friend of her cousin Keanne, Joel's daughter. They are considering getting their driver's license and finding a part-time job.
It was difficult for the whole family to see Roshlind's life suspended.
"Her life is at stake and if she does not find a donor on time, it may be too late," Keanne said.
Joel called the Winnipeggers to sign up, adding that it would increase the odds of other Filipino-born Canadians waiting for a match.
"About 34 Filipino Canadians are also waiting for a stem cell transplant," he said.
Match 4 Roshlind will take place on Saturday November 3rd from 10am to 5pm. and Sunday, November 4 from 1 to 6 pm at Cindy Klbaden Recreation Complex.
The process involves a cheek swab and takes about 10 minutes. Candidates must be in good health and between 17 and 35 years old.
If a match is found, there are two ways to donate stem cells.
Peripheral donation includes a series of intravenous injections during which the stem cells are separated from the blood.
The other method is to donate bone marrow, which involves a surgical procedure to recover pelvic cells.
Canadian Blood Services says that stem cells regenerate in about a month.
— With a report by Michelle Gerwing of CTV Winnipeg
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