CELLULAR: Stem Cell Drive and Networking Event

*This post is dedicated to Jacob Marfo, the father of Ezra Marfo, whose journey inspired our CEO, Ufuoma Muwhen, to create Cellular, our very own stem cell drive.*

On January 18, 2020, NotJustYou held our last in-person event before the world would face the new, unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As difficult of a decision as it was at the time, the NJY team made the conscious and informed decision to withhold from hosting any virtual/non-physical events, despite many other organizations transitioning to online programming. Why?

The sickle cell warriors we support are at the heart of what we do. As a team of multiple sickle cell warriors ourselves, we’ve gone through the motions of attending events in spaces that never really felt tailored to our needs. As an organization, we didn’t believe that our resources could accommodate the scale of support that we know sickle cell warriors deserve. We decided that if it couldn’t be done right, we wouldn’t do it at all.

This is when the real work began. Over the course of the 38 months that would follow, our team spent thousands of hours strategizing, re-structuring, growing, refining, and recommitting ourselves to our mission. We knew that one day the time would come to touch the lives of our community the way we do best, and we needed to be ready. Throughout this period we raised over $30,000, successfully transitioned our programming to direct donations to sickle cell patients in hospitals, and multiplied our network and access like never before.

Finally, on March 3, 2023, the day had arrived. Our inaugural stem cell drive and networking event would mark the beginning of our reintroduction to our local community. Welcome: Cellular.

After months of planning and hours of execution, to say the event was a success would be an understatement. Here are some highlights:

• We welcomed over 100 individuals to the Amaleena Lounge for an opportunity to meet new people, learn new tools for growth, and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills. And let’s not forget, JOIN THE STEM CELL REGISTRY. If you didn’t get to join the stem cell registry on that night but you’re ready to now, click here to become a stem cell donor today!

• Reni Odetoyinbo, professionally known as Reni, the Resource, came all the way down from Toronto, Ontario to encourage our audience to bet on themselves, against all odds.

• Our founder, Ufuoma Muwhen, kicked off the night by reminding our audience why it’s important we continue to remain resilient with supporting the Sickle Cell community, especially through the donation of stem cells (the transplant that saved her life).

• One lucky winner took home the cash prize of $500!

• 25 people joined the national stem cell registry!

In line with building a larger and more diverse stem cell donor registry, we wanted to build a business registry to ensure there is always a diverse and active hub for networking and innovation.  

The Cellular Business Registry is a comprehensive online resource that lists contact and other important information about businesses in a particular area or industry. The registry will serves as a tool for individuals and organizations seeking to connect with businesses for various purposes, such as networking, marketing, or purchasing products and services.

Thank you to those in our community who made an appearance for our first night back. An even more special thanks goes out to the sponsors, partners, and donors who made the first iteration of Cellular possible:

Canadian Blood Services — Canada’s lifeline that provides lifesaving products and services in transfusion and transplantation for Canadian patients
LAYERED By Rissa — an Edmonton-based buttercream cake artist that guarantees goodness is every flavour.
Canadian Imperial Advantage — an Alberta-based  organization that delivers entrepreneurial training, business support, newcomer programs for diverse communities.
When African Women Talk — WAWT is Alberta-based community of women of African-descent focused on socially connecting women together to support one another.
Elevated Visuals — a woman ran, Edmonton-based business that offers 360 Photo Booths along with all the accessories and props to make any event extra special!.

This year is a big one for NJY, and we’re excited to show you what we’ve been working on. Don’t blink.

Click here to view photo booth photos.