You may hold the key to Carolyn's future. She has been diagnosed with...(More)

You may hold the key to Carolyn's future. She has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia 16 months ago. After her first treatment of chemotherapy, she was in remission for only a year. The Leukemia has relapsed, and she will need a bone marrow transplant this time. It is very very urgent. Her brother has been tested negative already as a potential donor. According to her tissue type, anyone can be a possibility, related or unrelated. This is where you can help. [BE A REGISTERED OWNER]. Visit your local bone marrow registry to get yourself tested and registered. All it takes is a simple blood test to determine your bone marrow profile for matching purposes, and there is no obligation to donate, YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE. Not only will you be helping Carolyn, but also any one else in the world who needs a bone marrow transplant. Should you be willing to take the blood test, please kindly specify my cousin's name - Carolyn Tam, as well as her present location - Toronto, Canada. [SPREAD THE WORD]. Tell your friends, family and colleagues. One simple email or the like, can go a long long way. We have an email template written up, a Facebook group set up along with a website all ready to go for you to spread the word. [CONTACT US]. Should you have any questions or simply want a quick answer, just contact any one of us. We will be more than happy to assist you in helping Carolyn any time. Thanks, and God Bless. ----------------------------------- [WHERE?] Your local Canadian Blood Services branch or www.onematch.ca [WHAT IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER?] Between age 17 to 50 and of good health. Call or register on online and you will receive a Swab Kit with 4 Q-tips to collect your saliva samples to mail back to CBS. Once CBS receives the samples, you will be entered into the database - it is AS SIMPLE AS THAT. [IF I AM A MATCH, WHAT IS THE DONATION PROCEDURE?] Before proceeding with a donation, you will be contacted by a registered nurse from OneMatch who will guide you through each step of the process. You will be required to complete a physical examination and routine medical tests. These tests may include a chest X-ray and electrocardiogram, as well as blood and urine analyses. They are intended to ensure that you are healthy and physically eligible to be a donor. [AND IF I RECEIVE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH?] In most cases (including mine), the matching donor will be required to donate STEM CELLS through Stimulated Peripheral Blood Donation (AND NOT A BONE MARROW ASPIRATION): Donor will receive injections of a drug called granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) every day for four to five days. The stem cells are then collected using a procedure called apheresis where your blood is drawn through a needle. The blood is then passed through a centrifuge where the stem cells are separated from the rest of your blood. The remaining blood is returned back into your body through another needle. This is a non-surgical procedure. Canadian Blood Services http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/onematch?OpenDocument&CloseMenu 1 888 2 DONATE(1 888 236-6283) • Steps of Donation http://www.blood.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/The_Donation_Process?OpenDocument&CloseMenu • Myth about stem cell (bone marrow) donation http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/Myths_About_Stem_Cell_Donation?OpenDocument&CloseMenu _________________________________________(Less)