Giving Hope, Saving Lives!
After years of studies in Pharmacy School in Auburn University in Alabama as a Ph.D student and working in Pharmaceutical industry as a formulation scientist, Lan Ma had worked on almost every cancer drug in the market. However, never had she thought that one day she would need to take them. It all happened on that Monday afternoon in April 2006. Up until that point, things had seemed peaceful and predictable. She and her husband, Wei Li, a computer engineer both worked full time. They spent precious time after work with their lovely daughter, 5-year-old Maggie.
That Monday, Lan had to drive to the emergency room after work because her swollen right leg had been bothering her since the prior weekend. That visit changed her life. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive.
She had gone through 2 phases of Chemotherapy and had responded well to the treatment. However, Lan's only hope of long term cure is a stem cell transplant (or more specifically, Peripherial Blood Stem Cell - PBSC transplant). She urgently needs a well-matched donor. Unfortunately, her only sister was not a match, nor were any of her relatives.
Despite the excruciating chemotherapy, Lan remains optimistic. She believes, like thousands of others, she will find the matched donor and survive ALL with the support of her doctor, family and friends. She has promised her daughter that she will be there to attend her college graduation ceremony.
Let us all, whether we know Lan or not, work together and give Lan a second chance at life.
Here are the ways you can help.
Pay to: Lan Ma
Address: PO Box 8922
Gurnee, IL 60031
In Chicago area, A National Marrow Donor Drive can be scheduled if there are more than 20 people signed up.
At the drive, the LifeSource lab workers will come and draw blood sample (20ml) from the volunteers. The procedure lasts about 15 minutes. The results will be sent to NMDP directly.
If you are between 18 to 60 years old and in good general health (refer to www.marrow.org for health guideline), please consider participating in the drive.
For those who have Asian or Pacific Islander ethnic background, the test is free.
Please contact us for details:
E-Mail: helpmalan@yahoo.com
Internet: http://malanweb.org
FAQ: ABCs of Marrow or Blood Cell Donation