Save Mai Duong

You may be sitting around wondering how you can help a fellow human out. Look no further as I have a suggestion if you are feeling a bit of generosity in your warm little heart.

Here in Montreal, the hustle is on the help find a match for Mai Duong. A 34 year old who was diagnosed with acute leukemia, Mai is in serious need of a stem cell donation from someone in the Vietnamese community. Time is truly of the essence.

I was struck by Mai’s compassion for others as demonstrated in an interview with her where she stated that,

“We could be saving lives. If it’s not my life, it’s going to be somebody else’s.”

“I believe in humanity, so I believe that we’re going to find a match. I’m hopeful.”

Given that visible minorities make up such a small percentage of those who sign up for the bone marrow registry, it’s imperative that the words gets out and that people take action. On a positive note, there’s been 1000 new registrants for the province’s registry in just a few days.

Here’s how you can help:

• Spread the word. Share the website, mention it on Twitter or Facebook. Mobilize your sangha to register.
• Join the registry: Quebec, Canada, USA
• Read up on the story of Emru Townsend who was in a similar situation with regards to the search for a donor. His sister, Tamu and his community worked tirelessly to help educate and spread the word and it was his case that educated me on the subject of requiring ethnic donors due to a lack of diversity in the various registries.

Please act now however you are able to. You could help save a life.