Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was pleased to see a press release that indicated that stem cell challenge clinics have been organized in the Northwest Territories by the Yellowknife Fire Department and Medic North in support of the first annual National EMS Stem Cell Challenge. I’d like to take this opportunity to applaud both the Yellowknife Fire Department and Medic North for facilitating this important challenge.

The press release went further to indicate that the nationwide challenge is aimed at registering healthy, committed Canadians, aged 17 to 50, on the National Stem Cell Challenge and Marrow Network maintained by the Canadian Blood Services. The network serves a vital role across Canada in matching potential donors with compatible recipients who need stem cell or marrow transplants. Apparently, there are less than 30 percent of patients who need these transplants that actually find compatible matches within their own families. As such, there is an incredible need to add the database to ensure that all patients are able to find compatible donors.

In Yellowknife, the challenge is being held in two locations on two days: today from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Centre Square Mall and tomorrow, the 21st , from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Yellowknife

Co-op. I have been talking about this issue with my wife a lot over the last couple of months. We have decided to take this challenge and add to the network.

---Applause

As a Member of the 16th Assembly which has a

vision and a goal of healthy, educated people, I would like to challenge all of the Members of this

House between the ages of 17 and 50 to join me in the challenge tomorrow at 5:30 at Yellowknife Co-op to donate and add to the network. I think this is an important initiative. It is an important cause, so all of you between 17 and 50, I will see you at the Yellowknife Co-op tomorrow at 5:30. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.