Part 1: Lucky to be in love with a donor “Donating is an extremely attractive quality in a partner - it isn’t so much the actual act of donating, but what this speaks to their character…” #WhyWeSwB Canadian Blood Services #ValentineDay #love #stemcells #valentine #14february

Part 2: Father inspires swab clinics “When I was 14, my dad became extremely sick - this was a surprise to all of us as he led a very healthy life. He completed Iron Man's, triathlons, and was...” #WhyWeSwab #CanadasLifeline #stemcells #bonemarrow #cancer Canadian Blood Services

Part 3: Match – hope for a new start “Our prayers were answered when a match was found for my dad. We learned that he matched with not just one, but three people. I remember I was at a concert with…” #WhyWeSwab #CanadasLifeline #stemcells #Family #cancer Canadian Blood Services

Part 4: God moment “When I was in grade 12, our high school held its third swab clinic in honour of Sierra’s father. I was finally old enough to register that year, so I signed up, even though…” #WhyWeSwab #CanadasLifeline #stemcells #stemcelldonor #cancer Canadian Blood Services

Part 5: Donation brought them together “I posted on Instagram that we were holding a swab clinic at my university. Jay saw my story and messaged me to say that he was a potential match…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #cancer #bonemarrow #stemcelldonor #love #romance Canadian Blood Services

Part 6: Donation Process “In the days leading up to the donation, I had to give myself some injections to boost my stem cell count. I remember feeling similar to when you have the flu – tired and achy. On the…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #cancer #stemcelldonor Canadian Blood Services

Part 7: Save a life, find a wife “Learning that Jay was a donor was really meaningful to our relationship. He showed me right off the bat through donating that he is unwavering, and determined…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #cancer #stemcelldonor #love #family Canadian Blood Services

Part 8: God’s hands at work “My dad’s illness-journey all happened within the span of a year—from his initial hospitalization when he noticed something was wrong, to receiving a transplant, and…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #stemcelldonor #cancer #family #community Canadian Blood Services

Part 9: Living through both sides “I had been on the receiving end, seeing my dad receive a stem cell transplant. I felt the miracle of life because of his blessed donor. In turn, eight…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #stemcelldonor #cancer #family #love #lovestory Canadian Blood Services

Part 10: Best date nights “I feel like the longer you're in a relationship with someone, you don't often prioritize date night. And then there is a really simple way that you can - you can go donate blood together…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #love #family Canadian Blood Services

Part 1: What are the odds it’s going to be me “I initially found out about stem cell donation in 11th grade. An organisation that helps recruit and register donors came to my high school and presented what stem cells are, their…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonor Canadian Blood Services

Part 2: The best match “Fast forward to 2014 - I was in my second year of university, walking home from class, when I received a call. The person on the other end said, 'It's such and such from Canadian Blood Services…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonation #stemcells Canadian Blood Services

Part 3: The decision “Sports… I started high jumping when I was nine years old. I jumped all through elementary school with a travel track club and then through high school. In university, I decided to join the flag football team…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonor Canadian Blood Services

Part 4: Last shot “Stem cell donation comes at a time when your recipient doesn't necessarily have any other option, a stem cell transplant is typically their last option. Once your recipient starts to go through…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonor #stemcells #cancer Canadian Blood Services

Part 5: “What did I get myself into?” “Surgery. I was a little bit nervous. I actually have a photo of the morning of my surgery, and I remember thinking, ‘What did I get myself into?’ Admittedly, it was a bit intimidating…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #stemcelldonor Canadian Blood Services

Part 6: Post-op and recovery “The surgery is over before you know it, which is about two to three hours, if I remember correctly. Everything seemed to go well. I was just a little sore; they gave me a prescription for a…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonor #stemcells Canadian Blood Services

Part 7: A tough realisation “I always ask people to put themselves in the patients' or their families' shoes. Say the person who needs a stem cell transplant is your family member: a brother, aunt, parent, etc. You would…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcells #stemcelldonor Canadian Blood Services

Part 8: A Hero. Definitely. “Tessa has influenced me in many ways- from registering to be an organ and tissue donor to sports. A lot of sports, actually! We're a huge sports family, so anytime she says, 'Oh, I'm doing…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonor #stemcells Canadian Blood Services

Part 9: Why not donate? “My question to people who may have doubts or fears about registering to be a stem cell donor would be, ‘Why not? What are your fears?’ How I looked at it…” #WhyWeSwab #stemcelldonor #stemcells Canadian Blood Services