Jay Lutz was looking forward to starting his post secondary education at Langley’s Trinity Western University this September, but a devastating diagnosis has put his academic plans on hold.
Lutz was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia just two days before he was set to move into residence at the school where he planned to study communications.
“I went to the doctor for a blood test as part of a checkup, and instead of moving to university, I moved to the hospital,” said Lutz. “I was crestfallen, I was disappointed that I couldn’t move in. The big thing for me at the time was not that I had cancer, but I’m not going to university.”
Since his diagnosis, Lutz has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy. He’s now preparing for a stem cell transplant in January. Right now, the plan is for his Lutz’s brother, who is only a half match, to be the donor. It’s not an ideal situation.
“If between this time and early January, a 10 out of 10 unrelated donor match is found, that’s the better option and all the current plans will be thrown out and that’s what we’ll go with” said Lutz.
Students who heard about Lutz’s medical condition decided to step in, in hopes of helping him find his perfect match.
“It could have been me, it could have been anyone. It’s such a random thing,” said biology student Keenan Klassen. “In that sense just wanting to extend Trinity’s love.”
Klassen organized a stem cell drive in hopes of finding Lutz a suitable donor.
On Thursday, 246 people were swabbed as potential donors at TWU’s Langley campus. Those possible donors will be entered in a national database that could not only help Lutz, but other Canadians also in need of a stem cell donor.
Lutz says he’s humbled by the gesture, especially considering he never attended class at TWU.
“That is an amazing thought,” said Lutz.” That people are so giving and so generous. That just blows me away.”
If you are interested in becoming a stem cell donor, click here.
