On 21 September 2024, in conjunction with World Marrow Donor Day, the Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) hosted a Donor-Recipient Meet with 10 pairs of donors and recipients. It was a poignant event where recovered recipients united with their life-giving donors for the first time after their bone marrow transplants.
This momentous event featured three inspiring stories of life-saving connections. Among them is Jerlene Xie Yu Jie, 39, who gave Ting Chew Thai, 76, a second chance at life through her bone marrow donation, allowing him to battle leukaemia with courage. Another pair, Nur Siti Zubaidah, 26, and young Ria Nadira, 12, forged a bond when Zubaidah’s donation helped Ria overcome thalassemia, freeing her from frequent blood transfusions. Lastly, Engineer Lim Wee Kiat, 32, who signed up as a donor on a whim, ended up saving young Ho Wen Xi, 9, battling aplastic anaemia. These pairs met each other on the first time on stage.
How Jerlene’s Bone Marrow Donation Gave Mr. Ting a Second Chance at Life
Jerlene Xie became a marrow donor after a chance encounter at a company event, never imagining that her decision would one day save a life. Ting Chew Thai, a retired businessman diagnosed with leukaemia, faced his illness with courage, opting for a high-risk transplant as his only hope. Despite health challenges, Jerlene donated her marrow, undeterred even when complications arose. Mr. Ting endured a difficult recovery but remains deeply grateful for his second chance at life. Both donor and recipient now eagerly anticipate meeting in person, united by the life-saving bond they share.
The Heart-warming Journey of Donor Nur Siti Zubaidah and Recipient Ria Nadira
Ria Nadira, who was 8 years old when she received her transplant, recounted: “The most challenging part of treatment was losing my hair. My mother would tell me that it would be okay because nicer hair would grow out. The most difficult part was being separated from my family and friends (during the treatment).” Her donor, Nur Siti Zubaidah, feels a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing that her decision to donate has given Ria the chance to live a fuller, healthier life.
Engineer Lim Wee Kiat’s Unforgettable Journey as a Marrow Donor
Lim Wee Kiat, 32, signed up as a marrow donor during his university days to impress a crush—who later became his wife—never expecting that this decision would lead to saving a life. Years later, Wee Kiat learned he was a match for a young girl battling Aplastic Anaemia. With minimal discomfort, he donated his marrow, helping give the child a second chance at life. Wee Kiat will meet the now 9-year-old recipient Ho Wen Qing for the first time at the Donor-Recipient Meet. Wen Qing’s parents changed her name from Wen Xi to Wen Qing after her transplant. His wife, Choo Wan Qi, 31, was serendipitously also identified as a marrow donor for a separate patient and went through the donation in 2020.
Each of these 10 pairs embodies the extraordinary power of human kindness and the significant impact of bone marrow transplant in giving patients with blood diseases a second chance at life. This event is not just about celebrating second chances; it’s also about recognising the heroes among us—ordinary people who made the extraordinary choice to save a life. We hope their stories inspire the public to take that simple step, knowing it could mean the world to someone in need.”
– Charles Loh, CEO of BMDP
About Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP)
BMDP manages Singapore’s only register of volunteer marrow donors, providing that often, last chance of survival to hundreds of patients suffering from terminal blood-related diseases, in the form of a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated marrow donor. Over the past 31 years, BMDP has expanded its registry to include over 123,000 marrow donors, facilitated 1,165 patient transplants and overseen 520 marrow donations. BMDP is fully committed to building the local marrow donor register into a national asset to help all Singaporeans have that second chance at life, with their promise of “A donor for every patient”.
For more information, please visit https://bmdp.org/.
Images: Bone Marrow Donor Programme
