Swab clinic held in Smyth’s honour

An Oakville man’s legacy is living on.

David Smyth, 20, lost his battle to leukemia in September. Smyth, who needed a bone marrow transplant, inspired hundreds to add themselves to Canada’s bone marrow registry.

Several swab clinics have been held in his honour, and now politicians are joining in as well, including Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn.

“Today I’m announcing the start of the MPP challenge in honour of David Smyth. What I’m asking is that each MPP in the legislature from all parties host a One Match registration clinic in their own riding in a medical facility, a hospital, or a place they deem is an appropriate place. The Canadian Blood Services’ One Match stem cell and bone marrow network is a program that is dedicated to recruiting healthy, committed volunteer donors for patients in need of stem cell transplants. There are currently over a quarter of a million donors on the registry, but that simply is not enough for a population. There (are) more than 800 people that are waiting for a match in our country, and many of those people reside in the province of Ontario.”

Mike Smyth, David’s father: “Making November stem cell month, you know the Bedard bill is a wonderful thing. Kim and I will look forward to November every year when we, we think that David had a little role in making us all aware that we can all save a life.”