PREECEVILLE — Archer Franklin of Kelvington needs your help! Archer is 17 years old and is heading into Grade 12. He had played hockey with the Humboldt U18 AA Broncos during the 2022-23 season.
He was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in June and it has since destroyed his bone marrow and now requires a stem cell transplant. Archer needs a bone marrow match, as do many people in medical situations like this all over the world. The condition left him fatigued and prone to infections and uncontrolled bleeding. His parents are Cary Franklin of Preeceville, and mother Karri Franklin from Kelvington.
The disorder sees the body’s bone marrow compromised. While Archer is currently undergoing treatment with drugs and blood transfusions, the best chance for recovery is through stem cell treatment and a bone marrow transplant. However, the process of finding a match for donation is an arduous one. Unlike a blood transfusion where donor options are numerous, the stem cell match is based on genetic markers from the parents. The chance of finding a suitable match and a potential donor is 1 in 900. The closest family match is a half-match with Archer’s brother, and that’s set the search for the elusive match in motion.
“When Archer was first diagnosed, he went into the Royal University Hospital and has remained there today,” said Cary Franklin, his dad, from Preeceville, “We continue the search for a bone marrow donor and are hopefully that one can be found for Archer. He did undergo a treatment to strengthen his bone marrow but it was unsuccessful. He is part of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. There have been three bone marrow drives but no matches have been made to date. It has been a very stressful time on the family but we try to remain positive.
‘We are very grateful for all the support from the Humboldt Broncos, family and friends, we are truly blessed with such great support,” said Franklin.
“Please consider signing up and get a simple cheek swab to see if you may be a match.”
“The link below is for those between the ages of 17 - 35 wishing to be tested,” stated the Registry.
Should you happen to be a match for Archer or someone else in need, the matching donor is only required to give blood in a four to six hour procedure in 90 per cent of the cases.
There are certain health criteria that determine if someone is eligible for stem cell donation. These criteria are created to protect the long-term health of both donors and patients.
Additionally, patients who need a stem cell transplant are more likely to find a matching donor among those who share their ethnic ancestry.
“If you come from an ethnically diverse or mixed-race background, you could be the match they’ve been waiting for. We encourage you to join Canada's national stem cell registry if you are: between the ages of 17 and 35, in good general health, free of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis B and C, free of health issues, including cancer, blood diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes, certain heart conditions, etc. and willing to be a donor to any patient in need,” stated the registry.
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