Diversifying the Worldwide Stem Cell Registry: McGill’s Swab the World chapter leads the way

In 2020, two Med-P/Dent-P students at McGill University took on a mission that continues to change the lives of patients awaiting stem cell transplants. Lilly Groszman and Sophie Zhu, now in their final year of medicine and dentistry respectively, lead McGill’s chapter of Swab the World, a global initiative to diversify the stem cell registry and better serve patients from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.

Stem cell transplants can be life-saving treatments for people with blood cancers and other blood-related diseases, but the likelihood of finding a match depends largely on the donor’s genetic makeup. Currently, 70% of all registered stem cell donors are caucasian, even though roughly 85% of the world’s population isn’t. For patients from ethnic minorities, the odds of survival are lower due to underrepresentation in the global donor pool. The McGill Swab the World chapter has worked tirelessly to close this gap and make the stem cell registry more inclusive.

“We knew we had an opportunity to make a real impact,” says Lilly. “If we could increase awareness among McGill students, we could help improve the odds for patients in need of stem cell transplants.”

 

A Growing Movement

McGill’s Swab the World chapter was co-founded by Chloe Gordon and Owen Luo, both now second-year internal medicine residents at McGill. Their leadership as co-presidents sparked a passion for change that still drives the chapter today. When Lilly and Sophie took over in 2022, they built on this momentum, expanding the chapter’s reach and impact.

Since its inception, the McGill chapter has signed up over 400 new potential stem cell donors, reaching more than 5,000 members of the McGill community with their message of inclusion and hope. Through awareness campaigns, information sessions and fundraising events, they have raised more than $8,000 to support the cause.

The chapter’s success has not gone unnoticed. McGill Swab the World has received several accolades, including the McGill Special Projects and Community Involvement Award, the CHASM Incubator Award, and recognition as McGill internal finalists for the provincial Forces Avenir Award. Additionally, the McGill chapter was recently recognized as the best University Branch in Canada by the Swab the World Foundation for the second year in a row.

“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve alongside our peers,” says Sophie. “We’re not just getting students involved in a worthy cause – we’re also making a tangible difference in the lives of patients who desperately need a match.”

Part of the Curriculum

The McGill Swab the World chapter has helped successfully integrate stem cell donation education into the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ curriculum. Since 2021, first-year medical students learn about the importance of stem cell donation in the Fundamentals of Medicine and Dentistry Block F course, with a stem cell recipient invited annually to share their story and inspire future healthcare professionals to advocate for registry diversity.

 

A Personal Connection

The campaign’s importance is underscored by the story of Mai Duong, co-founder of the Swab the World Foundation. A leukemia survivor who relied on a stem cell transplant to save her life, Mai has been instrumental in the foundation’s mission to diversify donor registries.

“Mai’s story is a constant source of inspiration for us,” Lilly reflects. “Her resilience and determination to not only survive but to create lasting change reminds us why we started this journey. I feel so honoured to have met her, and her incredible attitude towards life has been truly inspiring. Working with Mai has made my med school journey so much more rewarding. It’s stories like hers that make me proud to be entering the field of medicine.”

“We are deeply grateful for the support of the McGill chapter,” says Mai. “Their efforts have already had a significant impact on patients’ lives.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mai’s remission, a milestone that the McGill chapter is eager to celebrate. “Her story inspires everything we do,” Sophie explains. “We want to thank all members of the McGill Swab the World team—those who have recently joined, those graduating, and everyone in between. Your hard work and dedication are the backbone of our success.” The McGill Swab the World Chapter unites students from all levels—undergrad, medical, dentistry, and graduate programs—bringing together a variety of skills and perspectives.

Looking Ahead

As they prepare to graduate themselves, Lilly and Sophie are committed to ensuring the continued success of McGill’s Swab the World chapter. They encourage students to get involved by signing up for the registry, attending swab talks on campus, or joining the team.

“The more diverse the registry, the better the chances are for patients around the world,” says Sophie. “We’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s still so much more to be done.”

For more information about the McGill Swab the World chapter or to learn how you can help diversify the stem cell registry, visit https://www.swabtheworld.com or follow their social media channels for updates on upcoming events and campaigns.

 

Contact the McGill Swab the World team:

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Email: swabtheworldmcgill@gmail.com

This story was originally written by McGill’s Swab the World Chapter and published on Health e-News.

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