Bone marrow donors from Canada's aboriginal community are being sought for a soon-to-be father in Toronto who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Mike Daykin was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia -- a cancer of the blood and bone marrow -- a few months ago. Daykin and his wife, Lisa, learned the devastating news while preparing for the arrival of their first child.
"Now Mike is worried about staying alive so he can be a father to his son and a husband to his wife," reads a message on a website created by Daykin's friends that aims to raise awareness about the need for more aboriginal bone marrow donors. "Mike needs your help."
According to the site, Daykin's birth mother is of aboriginal descent, meaning the likelihood of finding a bone marrow match is higher among aboriginal donors.
Daykin, who was placed for adoption when he was younger, does not have the option of asking his blood relatives to be tested, according to the website. And his twin brother is only a partial match.
The Canadian Blood Services says there is a "special need" for aboriginal males, between the ages of 17 and 35, to donate. The not-for-profit organization says aboriginals are underrepresented in the donation pool, making up only 0.9 per cent of the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network.
To join the network, interested donors should create a profile on the OneMatch website, and a swabbing kit will be provided to them.
In addition to the website, Daykin's friends have also created a crowdfunding campaign to help cover some of the baby expenses.
"Mike is fighting to stay alive," the FundRazr site says. "But while he's fighting to stay alive, he's worried about Lisa, the baby and the costs associated. Mike is too sick to work, and soon, Lisa will be on maternity leave for a year."
The crowdfunding campaign has so far raised more than $2,600.
