A letter from Minh's mom

Dear all,

I would like to share my story and ask for your help. Four years ago, I was lucky enough to have my daughter Minh. She is my long-awaited child. I call her my little ninja princess. Brave, mischievous, kind... in short, the greatest gift that life has given me.

My life has changed completely two weeks ago. Minh was diagnosed with a severe and rare blood disease, medullary aplasia. Her bone marrow no longer produces red/white blood cells/platelets. She must receive weekly transfusions to maintain her life. Her immune system is no longer able to defend her, so she must be isolated from others. She spent her 4th birthday in the hospital with multiple blood tests and transfusions.

She is now waiting for a stem cell transplant to cure her. She is an only child and I can’t unfortunately donate my own stem cells as we are not compatible enough.

The chance of finding a compatible donor is 1 in a 1 million. The fact that she is of mixed Asian-Caucasian origins complicates the search for a compatible donor, as there are very few Asian donors. I ask you today to share and raise awareness among those around you, to encourage people to register to be a stem cell donor.

I want to particularly ask Asian and people with mixed Asian-Caucasian origin to donate stem cells.

Thank you so much for sharing with those around you and inspire people to donate stem cells on behalf of everyone who is waiting for a stem cell donor like my daughter.


Diem