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Brady and his dad Terry Mishio.

Another stem cell swab event is taking place on Thursday with the hopes of finding a match for an eight-year-old Edmonton boy with leukemia.

In November, Brady Mishios dad took him to the hospital because he thought he had the flu.

Quickly they did some tests and then they did some more tests and X-rays and things and I knew at that point you know, a parent realizes something is awry there, Terry Mishio said.

WATCH:Edmonton boy with leukemia needs bone marrow transplant

That night, Bradywas diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which is cancer of the blood.

I didnt know what the oncology unit meant, now I certainly do, Mishiosaid. Then, I think it was a nurse or someone who said, They think your son has cancer It turned out to be trueHe was diagnosed with cancer and he had leukemia.

Youre hoping its not true, Mishio said. Youre hoping they made a mistake.

Brady has already gone through three rounds of chemotherapy. Doctors say he needs a bone marrow transplant.

Now, the family is desperately searching for a stem cell match.

The world needs to know that this is what we need and this can save kids lives, Mishio said. Not just Bradys life theres other families in the Stollery Theyre waiting for their matches.

Its going to be a matter of minutes, he said of the testing process. Just to go in there, fill out the screen, the paper work, and then give a mouth swab and thats it. And then youre in the bank and you could save a life.

READ MORE:Alberta mother battling leukemia desperately searching for stem cell match

A massive swabbing event is takingplace on March 9 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Parish at 9003 153 Avenue.

Organizers are expecting a big turnout, including Edmonton police officers and recruits, who will be getting swabs and registered as potential stem cell donors.

Basically, were looking for somebodys genetic twin, explained Robyn Henwood, with Canadian Blood Services.

In Canada alone we have about 1,000people at any given time looking for a match. Based on our international database, well find a match for about 50 per cent of them.

READ MORE:Young Edmonton boy searching for rare stem cell donor

If you cant make Thursdays event, visit Canadian Blood Services for more information or to set up an appointment. You need to be between 17 and 35 years old to register.

Its a little awkward to scrub the inside of your cheeks with Q-tips, Henwood said, but thats all it takes to register and potentially be the person that families are waiting for.

In 2013, 1,255 Canadians were diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia.

Eight-year-old Brady Mishio.

Eight-year-old Brady Mishio.

Eight-year-old Brady Mishio.

Brady and his dad Terry Mishio.

2017Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc

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Could you save his life? Edmonton boy needs to find stem cell match - Globalnews.ca

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