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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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