SABABC Stem Cell Campaign May 13, 2017

SABABC NEEDS YOU TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

ON MAY 13 JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO HELP SAVE KIRANPREET JOHAL’S LIFE – SABABC PARTNERING WITH THANKS MOM CAMPAIGN AT METROTOWN

Dear SABABC Members and Friends

There is an urgent need for your help on May 13, 2017.  This is a potentially life saving call for action for all SABABC Members and Friends and their families and friends.  We need YOU to make this happen.

A North Delta teenager in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant is searching for a stranger to help save her life.  A year ago, 18-year-old Kiranpreet Johal was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disorder called severe aplastic anemia.

She has been unable to find a match.  The best prospect she has for a match is with a South Asian donor. Unfortunately, across Canada, only 6% of the donors on the bone marrow registry list are South Asian.  As a fellow South Asian or supporter of South Asians, we ask that you help join the campaign to save Kiranpreet’s life as well as the lives of others by joining us on May 13.

See more of Kiranpreet’s story below.

With Mother’s Day around the corner – I am sure we are all thinking of the perfect gift for our moms…what could be better than saving a life!  Many have lost their lives and others are in limbo who are looking for a match. We are partnering with: SOAR Philanthropic Society, Kids Play, BYBOF Network, SPEATBC, ASAPBC, SAMHAA and many others to help save lives on May 13th from 10am to 9pm, at the Grand Court, Metropolis @ Metrotown, Burnaby.

Saving a life is easier than you think!  All it takes is 15 minutes of your time on May 13th to take part in a swab clinic that will add participants to the national stem cell registry.  You will also be provided with the opportunity to sign up for blood donation, cord blood donation by expectant mothers when giving birth at VGH and organ transplant donation.  Stem cell donors must be at least 17 years old up to around 40.  Blood donors must be at least 17 years old.  Cord blood donors must be at least 18 years old.

Please share this message with your family, friends and other networks (eblasts, social media).

Be a champion!  Make calls, arrange carpools, and make it happen on May 13th!  Kiran needs your help as do many others across Canada. 

Kiran says “Please donate and help save a life, especially if you are South Asian, “Whether you can help cure me or someone else your contribution will help save a life. It only takes a couple minutes to register and it is very easy.”

NOW IS THE TIME TO DO YOUR PART TO HELP SAVE LIVES.  FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED POSTER OR CONTACT HARVEY KOONER ATHARVEYKOONER1@GMAIL.COM OR 604-671-4180.

unnamed

Kiran Johal is seen in an undated family photo.

unnamed

Two of Kiran Johal’s friends join the national stem cell registry

unnamed (1)

“They said, ‘Hey, you really need to go to the emergency room right away.'” The disorder means her body is unable to produce blood, and she needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. But no one she knows, family or friends, is a match for the live-saving surgery. Johal is trying to stay positive, but has a hard time looking forward to such an uncertain future. She knows she won’t be able to go back to school in the fall with her sisters. “I don’t want my family to see that I’m down. I don’t want this to be something that brings me down, because it’s not going to,” she said through tears. “I’m going to be normal again, and I know that, it’s just the amount of time it’s taking…” There are approximately 380,000 people on the national stem cell registry, but the majority of registered donors (70 per cent) are Caucasian. Only 6 per cent are South Asian like Johal. Canadian Blood Services’ Trudi Goels advises that only about one-quarter of those in need of transplants find donors within their families. “Which means 75 per cent of all patients who need a stem cell transplant are relying on people like you to step up,” Goels said. While she waits, Johal has undergone 21 platelet and blood transfusions. She said she is grateful to the 21 people who donated for keeping her alive since October.

PLEASE MAKE TIME ON MAY 13 TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AND BRING AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN HELP SAVE LIVES.

THANK YOU

 

Leave a Reply