REQUEST: Marrow donor needed for Vinay Chakravarthy
Vinay Chakravarthy, pictured here with his wife, Rashmi, is 28 years old and has Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was diagnosed in November of 2006 and after chemotherapy failed, was informed he is in need of a bone marrow transplant. The donor - that could be you - pretty much has to be South Asian as well, as ethnicity largely defines compatibility (with marrow donors, that is). But first, you need to register as a potential donor, and that's quite effortless, and painless. Find out more at the website of SAMAR, the South Asian Marrow Association of Recruiters.
This is a message from his parents, passed on to us by SAJAer Seshu Badrinath, who is Vinay's cousin:
Vinay is the world to us - he is warm, funny, and loving. We have watched him grow from a little baby, to a young boy playing sports, to a fine young man determined to be a doctor, to a man marrying the girl of his dreams. Please help our son to have a chance to live - to be with his wife, with us, and with his friends.
Ethnicity is the key factor and there is a severe shortage of South Asians (people from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) on the National Registry.
Please visit http://www.helpvinay.org to see how you can help.
More coverage at Sepia Mutiny and at UberDesi, as well as Seshu's Tiffinbox.
There are not enough South Asians in the bone marrow registry. Since Vinay is Indian, there is a greater likelihood of finding a match among the same population as we share similar genes (genetic markers). It is important that as many Indians join the Bone Marrow Registry in the upcoming weeks to maximize Vinay's chances of finding a suitable donor.
Please know it is completely FREE to get tested or to donate in case of a match. There are no fees.
You can easily register with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry at http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/index.html . The procedure to register is less than a minute and is not invasive, just a simple swab of the mouth. The NMDP recommends that people read about the actual marrow donation procedure on the website before registering.
Posted by: Ruby Thomas | May 31, 2007 at 10:59 PM
i just can't believe this is happening
to him. he's such a good guy, one of
the smartest, most sincere, humble
persons i know...to his sweet, also
humble and loving wife, Rashmi...to
his family...
we think about what we don't have in
our lives and then things like this
happen to make you think that you
should appreciate what you actually
HAVE in your life...what if what you
have gets taken away...
i also can't believe that there is
such a small amount of south asians in
the registry...how is that possible
with such a large amount of medical
professionals in the community?...
what happened to our south asian
principle of helping one own family
(family defined as the indian
community)...did we lose that?...are
we just focused on ourselves, our
immediate family?....
Ruby
Posted by: Ruby Thomas | June 01, 2007 at 12:01 AM
I am already on the registry. Is there something I need to do after that to get into the pool for Vinay's treatment?
Shankar
Posted by: Shankar P. | June 01, 2007 at 03:00 PM
As far as I know, bone marrow "regenerates" itself, especially among the younger folks. So if a young donor donates some of his bone marrow to a patient, he/she need not worry. It is not like giving one of your kidneys or your liver.
I hope Vinay will soon find a donor. I wish him Good Luck.
Jaya Kamlani
Posted by: Jaya Kamlani | June 03, 2007 at 05:03 PM
As far as I know, bone marrow "regenerates" itself, especially among the younger folks. So if a young donor donates some of his bone marrow to a patient, he/she need not worry. It is not like giving one of your kidneys or your liver.
I hope Vinay will soon find a donor. I wish him Good Luck.
Jaya Kamlani
Posted by: Jaya Kamlani | June 03, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Bone Marrow Drive in NYC - JUNE 7th at SOBs, 6:30PM-12MID
Here's information on the next drive in New York City.
Please come and register if you haven't done so already. Please let others know about the drive as well.
Remember, they just swab your mouth and then you fill out a form.
Any more details regarding other drives, bone marrow registry, vinay's progress, please go to www.helpvinay.org
also, if you can't make it to this one, there are others planned for nyc in the next couple of months. i'll inform you when i get more details.
June 7, Manhattan, NY
Start: 06/07/2007 - 6:30pm
End: 06/07/2007 - 11:59pm
Basement Bhangra
Venue: SOB's in Manhattan, New York City
Contact: Ashwin Vasan
akvasan@gmail.com
thanks
Ruby
Posted by: Ruby | June 04, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Thank you for the post, SAJAers.
Vinay is a friend of mine from college and I, like Ruby, am shocked & saddened that this could happen to someone like Vinay. But we can use our lament to act, if we get organized. I urge everyone to read Rashmi's note on Vinay's website or the plea from his parents. Their plight (our plight) is real and it is now. Please do your part and get registered (www.marrow.org) or visit www.helpvinay.org for a list of upcoming drives.
If you would like to help out, we are organizing drives up & down the east coast (especially DC MD VA NJ NY NC & PA). We could use your help. Please contact Seema at indiaseema@hotmail.com. The more soldiers we have in the field, the better chance we have of saving Vinay's life.
Posted by: Seema Patel | June 05, 2007 at 05:17 PM
7/14-SAJA CONVENTION in NYC-Bone Marrow Drive Confirmed!
We have secured a table at the SAJA Conference JULY 14th
Remember all they do is swab your mouth to get your tissue type and you fill out a form!
Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, July 14th 2007
Time: 9AM to 5:30PM
Place: 5th Floor of the Lerner Hall at Columbia University
Address: 2920 Broadway, New York, NY (On Broadway Ave, Between 114th and 116th Streets)
Posted by: Ruby | June 06, 2007 at 12:18 PM
7/14-SAJA CONVENTION in NYC-Bone Marrow Drive Confirmed!
We have secured a table at the SAJA Conference JULY 14th
Remember all they do is swab your mouth to get your tissue type and you fill out a form!
Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, July 14th 2007
Time: 9AM to 5:30PM
Place: 5th Floor of the Lerner Hall at Columbia University
Address: 2920 Broadway, New York, NY (On Broadway Ave, Between 114th and 116th Streets)
Posted by: Ruby | June 06, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Ruby,
There comes a turning point in one's life when you stop and think what life is all about. It's not about what you receive from others, but what you give. You get longer lasting satisfaction from giving.
As you stated earlier comment, QUOTE "we think about what we don't have in our lives and then things like this happen to make you think that you should appreciate what you actually
HAVE in your life." UNQUOTE. I could not have said it better.
Ruby, I think everyone should have a caring friend like you. It is good that you have set aside a table at the SAJA convention for a potential bone marrow donor swab test. My prayers are with Vinay and Rashmi. God bless you too for your effort.
Jaya Kamlani
Posted by: Jaya Kamlani | June 06, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Happy but sad news:
Say YES. Be A Committed Donor
Here's a message from Vinay
I almost had a match. But the South Asian donor(s) is “not available”. I’m utterly devastated. I’d known that Asians as a whole came through with a whopping 60% failure rate (lower than any other ethnic group) to actually agree to the donation process once they were identified as a match, but I thought my match would be that special 40% who would do anything to save a fellow brother’s life.
Among many of the reasons South Asians generally give for declining, some say “their family would not support their donation process”. I have a question for all my Indian brothers and sisters out there: Since when did our families start to come in the way of us helping another fellow human being?? We pride ourselves on having good family values. I ask you now to remember those values that we hold so dear because that is what makes our community so special.
I am asking you, no…..I’m imploring all of you out there to wake up and face reality. If we don’t stick up for each other, we have nothing. This is happening to me and Rashmi today, but we live in a world where cancer and injustice can happen to anyone at any time. It is happening right now to a 6 month old baby who I can’t stop thinking about – its keeping me up nights and breaking my heart. Make no mistake that when and if this type of thing happened to you, you would want people like me and Rashmi to stand by your side……and we would.
“There aren’t enough South Asian people in the registry” they told us. We were devastated. Now they are telling us “those in the registry don’t really want to help”. How much harder does this have to be for us? We CAN change this. I am distressed, but I still have hope. Please join me in starting the change. We can stand by each other as a community and actually make a difference. If you get that call to be a donor, just remember that you are the ONE person who can save that patient’s life.
SAY YES. BE A COMMITTED DONOR
http://www.helpvinay.org/dp/index.php?q=node/227
Posted by: Ruby | June 22, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Rashmi & Ruby,
Could you check out the orientation of Vinay's bed? According to Indian Vastu (and even Feng Shui) philosophy, one must NOT sleep with their feet pointing south. It brings very bad luck, severe illness or death.
The best position to sleep is in this order:
- best to have your feet pointing East, so you wake up in the direction of the sun.
- next best is the North position
- next best is the West position
- Never, Never have your feet pointing South.
In fact, Indian Vastu says not to buy a house or rent a home where the front door of your home faces south i.e. the street across from yours should not be in the south direction.
The Chinese believe that you should not go for anything with a number 44. No home or office should have that number. Don't buy anything with that number. It is also known to bring bad luck, illness, death. Avoid number 4 as well, or a house number should not end in a 4.
I found out these things the hard way and wanted to share it with you, if it can be of any help. All what I have said can be researched and found online or in Vastu books. I can provide you internet links if you need it.
Make sure Vinay's feet are pointing east or north when he sleeps. Good Luck. My prayers are with Vinay.
Jaya Kamlani
Posted by: Jaya Kamlani | June 28, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Vinay & Rasmi,
I am from Malaysia and we have Indian community in Malaysia. I am truly sad I wasnt aware of your need when I was in the states last Dec 2006. I really would like to make an effort to help you to find the right match. I wish I could be the one to help you Vinay and be the right marrow match. Stay and hang in there with all your faith and hope. I am communicating with Tahir to actually find out how can I set a drive in Malaysia especially for you Vinay & Rasmi. Pray and do say Guru Namom everyday and believe it helps; "Yoga nyana sittar, Om sri raja yoga guru saranam".
Posted by: Mageswari Suresh | July 09, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Jaya are you kidding? that is the most silliest thing I have ever heard
Posted by: meeta | October 31, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Meeta,
No, I am not kidding. Number 88 is considered very lucky among the Chinese, and number 44 is considered the unluckiest number. Do an internet research and you will find it. Ask traditional older Chinese people about it.
I don't know how old you are Meeta, but if you are passed 44, then look back to your 44th year and determine what it was like. I used to think I had a modern outlook, and that only my mother and ancestors were superstitious. But I learned about these things the hard way, and I wanted to share it with others.
And about the sleep position check out any website that shows bed orientation under Vastu. This is part of Indian Vastu basics.
Jaya Kamlani
Posted by: Jaya Kamlani | October 31, 2008 at 04:25 PM
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