This past November, Const. Andrew Gaiswinkler was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
Gaiswinkler was rushed by ambulance to London and immediately began chemotherapy.
He has been in and out of hospital since, receiving blood transfusions and other medical treatment.
Gaiswinkler is now on the ‘One Match’ registry, awaiting a stem cell donor and transplant.
Also, his search has now gone international and the Chatham-Kent Police Service and his family and friends are hopeful that a match will be found in time to save Andrew’s life.
Gaiswinkler has been a member of the Chatham-Kent Police Service since 2000.
He is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit where he is one of only four Collision Reconstructionists.
On Saturday, February 24, 2018 emergency services personnel along with community members rolled up their sleeves in honour of him.
Canadian Blood Services, Territory Manager, Marisa Gatfield says that approximately 150 people attended the clinic Saturday morning to donate blood.
Unfortunately, the clinic was not able to accommodate everyone, so many people rescheduled to their March 14th clinic date at the Spirit and Life Centre in Chatham.
In total, 104 units of blood were collected where typically this clinic averages 58 units, thus achieving 179.31% of the target goal.
37 new donors also attended the clinic.
“Arms Out for Andrew was a beautiful outpouring of love and support,” Gatfield stated.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service would like to thank everyone who attended this clinic.
“We ask that you continue to keep Andrew and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” police officials said.
If you missed Saturday’s clinic but would like to make an appointment to donate blood, call Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE or click www.blood.ca.
Please register your donation under our Partner for Life #CHAT011624
If you are under 35 years, please consider signing up for ‘One Match’ which is the Stem Cell Donor registry.
For more information, please see https://blood.ca/en/stem-cell/onematch-information-new-registrants
Here are some photos from the Chatham-Kent Police Service of the event:
– Photo credit: Chatham-Kent Police Service
