BLOOD DONOR APPEAL for 7 year old Matthew

Dear Residents,

While we are still in the festivities of the Chinese New Year celebration, we also need to spare our thoughts for people who are not so lucky due to one reason or another beyond their control.

I read this email in circulation in SJ Alert and I was touched by this story and appeal. It is about the unfortunate medical condition that is threatening a young life. I also emphatize with the parents and I can only imagine the pain and agony that they are going through right now.

So, please do your part if you can to help this young child. Please do read the appeal below.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Jeffrey Khoo
Advisor
11 Trees @ USJ

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From: Jamie Cheah Phui Yii
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 10:50 AM
Subject: Matthew Lee: Urgent request for blood platelet donations


Dear all,

This is a personal appeal for a dear friend's 7 year old son...

Just last Wednesday, 17 Feb 2010, Matthew Lee, a 7 year old boy known for his jovial and mischievous nature was diagnosed with leukemia and is currently in SJMC. His platelet count is extremely low and as such, he is in urgent need of platelet donors. As a friend, I am appealing for your help. Here is an excerpt from Mattthew's father, Mr. Lee Peng Siang.

"Matt needs platelet and blood donors. All types of blood groups, male or female are accepted. The SJMC blood bank is located on the 5th floor of the North Tower. It is open office hours, Monday to Friday. When donating please inform that is it for Matthew Lee room 553. Only people who are not on any kind of long/short term medication accepted. . Platelet donation is critical this week as Matt needs the minimum of 1 bag per day. Those who cannot donate platelets can donate blood. Duration is about 1 hour for blood and 2 hours for platelets. Please also caution against too many visitors due to Matt's low immunity level at this time. Thanks"

Potential blood platelet donors will have to be screened for eligibility because not everyone is. As platelets have a short lifespan, the blood bank cannot simply stock up on platelets and dispense it at their leisure; it has to be relatively fresh. Due to this, it would be good if we had a large pool of eligible donors to call upon. For those not eligible to donate platelets, a blood donation is just as welcomed.

If you are willing to donate, please send an email, which you can also CC to Pauline. This will facilitate us in the compilation of a donors list.

SAMUEL WONG: centripetal.deficiency@yahoo.com
PAULINE LEE: pspaulinelee@gmail.com

If you're willing to help out, I encourage you to get yourself screened as soon as possible. As Peng Siang mentioned, this week will be critical for Matthew. With some coordination, we can ensure that he will always have someone ready to donate for him.

Matthew's Mother: Mrs. Pauline Lee
Matthew's Father: Mr. Lee Peng Siang
Matthew's Blood Type: O

If you know of anyone who is willing to help, please pass on this email.

Thank you all,
Jamie