Be a stem cell donor and join Go Bald 9 this weekend
KUCHING: This coming weekend of July 8 and 9, pledge to save a stranger’s life by registering as a potential stem cell donor at CityOne Megamall where Go Bald 9 will be conducted.
Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society ( SCCS) will be collaborating with the Malaysian Stem Cell Registry (MSCR) to hold a stem cell donorship drive from 10am to 5pm in conjunction with Go Bald 9.
The public can attend the stem cell talk from 1.45pm to 2.30pm tomorrow (July 8). Topics to be covered include how stem cell donorship help somebody and steps to become a donor.
SCCS programmes and services manager Jodie Sim said in Malaysia, there were only 28,500 registered donors in MSCR until April 2017.
“Of that number, only one per cent are ethnic Sarawakians. Due to the diversity of race and intermarriage among Malaysians, the probability of finding a matching donor for a Sarawakian patient is very low,” she revealed at a press conference yesterday.
MSCR was established in 2000 as a collaboration between Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health and National Cancer Council Malaysia ( Makna).
MSCR is a register to match willing blood stem cell donors to those in need of the potentially lifesaving transplants.
“The increasing number of patients suffering from bloodrelated diseases such as leukemia, anaemia and lymphoma each year has resulted in greater demand for blood stem cells transplant,” she said.
Blood stem cells are the main blood cells responsible for producing other blood components such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Blood stem cells transplant from healthy individuals to patients suffering from bloodrelated diseases can aid in their recovery.
The donation of blood stem cell is carried out via the peripheral blood vessel (apherisis method).
For the stem cell transplant to go ahead, the donor’s blood stem cell should have Human Leukocyte Antigen ( HLA) compatible with the patient’s. HLA compatibility between donor and patient is influenced by genetic factors.
“Only 30 per cent of patients have HLA compatibility among their siblings. The remaining 70 per cent need to fi nd matching HLAs from unrelated donors in blood stem cells volunteer database such as Malaysia’s MSCR or other databases or registries abroad,” she said.
Sim said cancer survivor Winnie Foo will share her experience on how stem cell has saved her life during the drive on Saturday.
“Sarawakians are encouraged to pledge as stem cell donors to increase the chances of finding compatible donors for patients from Sarawak,” she urged.
Volunteer donors should be Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 50 years old, healthy and free from chronic diseases.
SCCS and MSCR hope to get 200 individuals to register as donors during the two- day drive.
As for Go Bald 9 this Sunday, participants can return their pledge cards and book a shaving slot at the Go Bald booth at the main entrance of CityOne Megamall from 11am to 8pm from now until the day itself.
SCCS urged more people to come forward to pledge and shave their heads to help children fight cancer.
“You can register on-the- spot or contribute by raising funds without going bald,” Sim said.
Go Bald launched in 2009 is an event that helps SCCS raise funds to subsidise its annual operation cost of approximately RM1.8 million.
The fund has allowed SCCS to provide continuous support and services to children with cancer and their families. They include halfway homes in Kuching and Miri that provide accommodation for families throughout patients’ treatment, medical expenses, financial aid, transportation, emotional support, and various activities and awareness programmes.
After Kuching, Go Bald will proceed to Delta Mall, Sibu on July 16, Permaisuri Imperial City Mall, Miri on July 23 and ParkCity Mall, Bintulu on July 30.
A series of satellite shaves have been organised by corporate organisations and educational facilities to show support and raise funds for the children.
For more information, contact SCCS at 082- 686276 or email gobal@ sccs.org.my.
Check out the Go Bald website www.gobald.my or visit their Facebook page www. facebook. com/GoBald.
Of that number, only one per cent are ethnic Sarawakians. Due to the diversity of race and intermarriage among Malaysians, the probability of finding a matching donor for a Sarawakian patient is very low. Jodie Sim, SCCS programmes and services manager