According to recent research, a current shortage of Black stem cell donors in Canada is preventing a significant number of treatments from happening. As of January 2021, Black Canadians make up less than two per cent of the national stem cell registry.

“An hour or two before my shift that day. And so I didn’t know that I was actually diagnosed with this until afterwards,” said Aleena Seale.

“I had to do a bunch of blood work after the appointment and at first I wasn’t really concerned, because I thought it was just going to be a simple thing to fix, I also didn’t know what leukemia was.”

There are more than 1,000 patients in Canada who are waiting for transplants with a stem cell match, who are heavily relying on donors that are unrelated. However, Patients from Black backgrounds are stuck with lower odds of finding a match compared to other racialized groups.

Family members can be a match, but the chance of a full sibling match is only 25 per cent, leaving most without a biological match relying on donors.

“Since I’m getting that back, hopefully I’ll be able to go out a lot more,” said Seale.

“Things you never really realize you take advantage of until it’s taken from you.”

Specialists from Canadian Blood Services say this imbalance matters because the chances of stem cell matches increase when the patient and donor are from similar ancestries, directly altering the match chances of those with lower registry percentages

“It can be extremely difficult to try and define a match and for many years, patients can go unmatched,” said Victoria Bleecker, a chapter development leader at the Stem Cell Club.

“Especially since if the match is not found within the family, you may be searching for years and this is time that patients may or may not have time for,”

Researchers have pinpointed some components and potential reasons for the outstanding shortage may include eligibility requirements that limit participation by minority groups, an absence of awareness and distrust of the healthcare environment.

“It takes five minutes to do a cheek swab, you get added to a registry and you can help anyone in the world,” said Bleecker

“It’s really just a simple and easy thing to do and it can be super meaningful for these patients,”

Multiple organizations and community groups across Canada continue to promote donor registrations to help close the significant gap and improve survival rates, but remains a slow process.

“You’re becoming a hero to somebody and you’re saving a life,” said Mills

“I talk to people when they do come in to donate to somebody they don’t even know, never met, know nothing about them and they’re willing to do this to save a life,”

“It’s also a great way to welcome brand new visitors and make attending an art institution feel easy and less intimidating, as if to say: “There is a place for you here.”

The event is located on 9 Avenue S.E. and will run from 5 to 7 pm. Drop-in guests can expect guided tours of exhibitions and gallery spaces, along with activities and refreshments provided by Lina’s Italian Piazza and Gravity Coffee Roasters.

Public engagement and bookshop manager Adetola Adesipe said organizers aim to create an inclusive environment.

“Every choice asks us to think broadly and intersectionality, so the night feels welcoming and intentional for our guests,” Adesipe said.

Esker Foundation Spring Community Event - Image taken by Nailia Seale

Esker Foundation was founded back in 2012 by philanthropists and collectors Susan Hill and Jim Hill, established and is based in Calgary, Alta. Esker offers free admission for all of their organized events featuring contemporary art exhibits. According to their official bio “To ensure that barriers to access are as low as possible.” In their own words, they want to create a welcoming and accessible area for all visitors.

“We hope to have contributed to the arts and culture fabric of the city by offering access to the arts to all,” said Sayadi.

“By empowering and supporting all creatives and artists, both young and established, to pursue their passions.”

The event provides a calm and informative run-through of all the exhibits featuring Anthony Cudahy: metronome yawned collection and Alexandre Pepin: Lavender collection available till April 26, 2026. And will be replaced with new collections in late May.

Volunteer Holly Hansen said past exhibitions have helped foster community engagement.

“There was an exhibition that happened here… They did a lot of sculpture performative pieces, where you would yell in these vases in these pipes and it brought a lot of community together,” said Hansen.

Spring Community Night is open to all during event hours, with no registration required in advance. Esker Foundation will continue its regular operations and hold additional events throughout March and April.

“Community is very important and I think that we should all be trying to help each other,” said Brittney Edge, marketing and communications specialist for Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels has been delivering freshly made and frozen meals to Calgarians for 60 years, with its customer base mainly individuals with disabilities, illnesses, injuries and seniors.

Some of the several options for this year’s contestants include BiteMe Apple Hot Chocolate from Re:Grub, Carnival Candy Apple from Love at First Scoop and last year’s first place winner, Apprentice Cafe with their Dubai Hot Chocolate Affogato drink.

Last February, Hot Chocolate Fest sold 102,000 drinks and raised $145,000 which went directly to the Meals on Wheels. Over the past two years combined, the event has raised $325,000 in its fight against food insecurity in Calgary.

“Each Vendor, when they sign up, they give us the cost of their hot chocolate and depending on the cost, $1 to $3 from each hot chocolate sold, will at the end of the month, then be donated to Calgary Meal on Wheels,” said Edge.

Apple Hot Chocolate Cheers - Image taken by Nailia Seale

Every year there are four winning categories: top-rated hot chocolate, most-sold hot chocolate, top-rated alcoholic hot chocolate and most creative hot chocolate. Previously won by Apprentice Cafe, Hexagon Cafe, Cravings Bistro and 8Cakes Bake Shoppe.

“I encourage people to post on social media and we take on collaborative posts on instagram,” said Edge.

“It shows up and helps build everyone’s presence, as opposed to just our own.”

Hot Chocolate Fest runs through the rest of this month with vendors offering their limited-time drinks and an opportunity for participants to vote for their favourites and donate to charity while satisfying their sweet tooth.

The event will stretch from Jan. 20-25, 2026.

Athletes like women’s cross-country mountain bikers Sandra Walter and Marie-Helene Premont have competed in The Canada Cup and later advanced to the Olympic Games.

“This is super important because it helps us American athletes qualify to get onto the team,” said Piper Arnold, a Californian skier.

“Practice for our World Cup events that we have, because those are really the most important but the NorAm is a super pivotal competition in our lives, because it’s just a stepping stone for the World Cups.” said Arnold.

Halfpipe and Slopestyle aren’t the only sports events The Canada Cup revolves around; The Cup has hosted speed skating, kayaking, softball, ice hockey, cross-country mountain biking and mogul skiing.

“Days like these, where you know it’s cold out, or there’s something wrong with the conditions you’re skiing, it’s kind of just working through those types of days.” said Owen McKibbin, a Halfpipe series skier.

Winsport Ski and Snowboard runs - Image taken by Nailia Seale

The Canada Cup Dev Series is partnered up with MogulFest, a weekend-long festival celebration, usually held at the Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer, Alta., featuring multi-level mogul skiing, medal awards, hosted dinners and silent auctions.

The Cup was held in several other locations outside Calgary for multiple events in 2018, including, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and the Yukon.

“It’s a new day every day, so you can have a different mentality every day, but definitely having fun every single day is the most important,” said Keva Kelly, 2025 NorAm Halfpipe ski champion.

As The Series progresses over the five-day stretch, more athletes will be put on ice to qualify for their respective teams and move forward to more prestigious opportunities.

The Cup will continue until Jan.25, featuring the last finals of the season and the final award ceremony. Following The Series, MogulFest weekend will also take place in Red Deer, Alta, on Jan. 31.