30 August 2017 · Donor Registration · Videos & Media

URGENT – BRITISH SRI LANKANS: YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP PLEASE, TO SAVE A LIFE

By Yaser

Kenu and his little sister, Ashi — Kenu with his little sister, Ashi

It's almost that time of year... — It’s almost that time of year…

I received a phone call earlier today from a concerned father, who’s son is being treated for his blood cancer at Great Ormond Street Hospital & who now needs a bone marrow transplant, in order to stand the best chance of beating his leukaemia. The phone call came out of the blue and it brought back to me the dreadful feeling of anguish and also the despair that consumed our family when Margot was in desperate need of a bone marrow donor.

Kenu was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) in 2014 and has been in remission for two years. Now, aged 11, he relapsed a month ago. Unusually, this time it’s the ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) clone which is present, making Kenu’s an extremely rare case.

Margot’s heritage was rather mixed, which meant that it wasn’t possible for us to target specific communities with our public appeal, however Kenu’s genealogy is Sri Lankan – so on that basis, it ought to be easier to reach out to and connect directly with the c.200,000 British Sri Lankan’s that can potentially make a life saving difference.

Kenu and Ashi with their mum, Anusha and dad, Suneth

margot school uniform — Margot was gutted that she couldn’t go to school with her brothers at the start of term…

If you’re between 16-55 years old and in general good health, you could save a life and it could be Kenu’s.

Please tell someone about & SHARE this post, in particular with anyone who is a British Sri Lankan and encourage them to register as a potential bone marrow donor.

Thank you.

Team Margot

Together, saving lives

NB There are two forthcoming donor registration events THIS WEEKEND in both London and Newcastle – no appointment necessary; please just turn up and you will be guided through the registration process:

1) Newcastle and Hartshill Cricket Club, Clayton Ln, Newcastle,ST5 3BZ on Saturday the 2nd of September.
Registration will take place from 5PM – 8PM.

2) Oshwal Centre, Coopers Lane Road, Potters Bar EN6 4DG on Sunday 3rd September.
Registration will take place from 10.30AM to 4PM.

Can’t make it ? Not to worry – please click on the links below to find out more and register online to receive a DIY registration kit in the post:

WHAT’S INVOLVED WITH A STEM CELL OR BONE MARROW DONATION: https://www.teammargot.com/once-im-registered-how-do-i-actually-donate/

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STEM CELL TRANSPLANT & A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT: https://www.teammargot.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-stem-cell-transplant-and-a-bone-marrow-transplant/

HEAR FROM KATRINA, A BONE MARROW DONOR, ABOUT HER DONATION EXPERIENCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzNxVhCo8do&feature=youtu.be

PLEASE VISIT: https://www.teammargot.com/how-to-register/ to DISCOVER HOW YOU CAN JOIN the register (online) & how YOU can save a life.