
This is a paddler who is/was with a well know competitive team known as the MoFo's in Toronto . Here is her story -
Jenn’s Story
Jenn was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in December 2010. She went through her first complete cycle of chemotherapy induction without achieving remission and now she needs our help! Only a bone marrow transplant will save her now.
Jenn also known as ‘Pho’ (Yes, we call her Vietnamese soup noodles!) is our sister, our cousin, our aunt, our daughter, our teacher, and our friend. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Jenn, a healthy, vibrant and vivacious young lady at 31 years of age was diagnosed with this terrible disease. Her brother has been tested as a donor and unfortunately, there hasn’t been a match yet. A bone marrow match does depend on ethnicity. Jennifer is of Vietnamese origin with 1/16th part Chinese. That’s why we’re reaching out to you to help us raise awareness about this horrible illness and learn how quick and simple it is to make a difference and even save a life.
OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network is responsible for finding and matching volunteer donors for patients who require stem cell transplants. Fewer than 30 per cent of patients who need stem cell transplants find a compatible donor within their own families. The rest rely on those who have volunteered to donate stem cells to anyone in need.
You can easily get tested to see if you are a bone marrow match at
www.onematch.ca.
You can donate if you are between 17 and 50 years of age, in good general health and willing to donate to anyone on the list. You are by no means obligated to donate even if you are a match.
This involves just a few simple steps.
1. Fill out a short online questionnaire regarding your medical history
2. Take a cheek swab from a kit sent to you by mail.
3. Mail back your kit. Postage is prepaid.
And that’s it! Your info will be entered into the worldwide database for Jenn along with all others in need to use.
Here is her website :
http://www.swabandsave.com/ My thinking is ...we have a huge asian community here in Vancouver and alot of paddlers are of this background so if teams could be brought together to do this simple test and save someone's life how cool would that be if we found a match and think how you would feel saving her life ....Life is short , do something in your life to help someone else out