Introduction

 


Recently, a young 14 year old girl suffering from leukemia made an appeal 
via the Internet for more people to come forward to register with the Bone 
Marrow Donor Program. She needed a bone marrow transplant but a match 
could not be found with any of the donors already registered with the 
program. Miss Lin Yi Xin is still at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital today, 
hoping and waiting for a match to be found in time. It was her appeal 
that has spurred us into action.

We will be assisting the Bone Marrow Donor Program to conduct a 
Registration and Donation Drive at Raffles Place Change Alley (next 
to the Raffles Place MRT Station). The Guests of Honour will be 
Mrs Goh Chok Tong and TCS celebrity, Mr Gurmit Singh.

In Singapore, the Bone Marrow Donor Program was established by 
Mr Gerald Loong, after he lost his young son to leukemia. He was not 
successful in obtaining a match for his son to undergo a bone marrow 
transplant that could have saved his life as a bone-marrow donor 
program did not exist in Singapore then. His son died at the tender 
age of five. 

Today, the Bone Marrow program has 20,000 names and has saved 
many lives. However, to enable this program to be more successful, 
as the chance of a match is 1:30,000, we are appealing for your 
support.

Below are some questions that are often asked?

Who Needs Bone Marrow Transplants?


Patients who suffer from leukemia, aplastic anaemia and immune
deficiency syndromes. A large percentage of these patients are 
very young children. 

What is Bone Marrow Transplant?

Only upon identification of a compatible match between the patient 
and a donor, will the donor be called upon. The donor will then 
undergo an interview and a thorough medical examination to ensure 
that the donor is fit for one of the following bone marrow transplant 
procedures:

Method 1: Donor takes a drug G-CSF that will trigger the marrow to 
generate stem cells into the blood. The stem cells are then donated 
to the patient in the form of a blood donation procedure. 

Method 2: Marrow is extracted from the hip bone using a needle and 
syringe under general anestethic. No incision or stitches are involved. 


How Can You Help?

1.	Please announce to your staff about this event and the purpose of 
the Bone Marrow Program

2.	Sign up your staff who are interested in registering in the program
using the attached form

3.	To encourage large group participation, we will be allocating specific 
time slot during two days: 24 or 25 May for your staff to come together to 
provide their blood samples. Only a small test-tube of blood will be 
obtained from them for the purpose of typing their leucocytes.


Donation Appeal

We are also appealing to your company for a cash donation to help 
defray the costs of the blood typing. Unlike typing red blood cells which 
involves a very simple process that takes seconds, typing of leucocytes 
(white blood cells) is an expensive process involving a series of tests. 
The cost of typing each blood sample is about $500. A press 
announcement will be made to the press. 

Any amount of donation, large or small, would be deeply appreciated. 
Cheques should be made directly payable to the "Bone Marrow Donor 
Program". Such donations are tax deductible and official receipts will 
be issued. 



Footnote:

 Ms Lin Yi Xin, has just passed away this morning on May 17 , 1999
before a suitable donor could be found. 

May the blessings of the Triple Gems be upon her.

Previous year donation drive pictures.
 
 

 
                
  


 

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