By Steve Angeles
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VALLEJO, CA—32-year-old Michelle Ignacio was on a roll. She married her high school sweetheart three years ago, and landed a new career four months ago at a pharmaceutical company. Ignacio was also an active volunteer. Then, out of nowhere, she wasn’t feeling quite like herself and found out she had leukemia.
Chit Crisologo says her daughter needs bone marrow. “She didn’t tell me she was in the hospital. I told her why didn’t you tell me? That’s how Michelle is; she’s always thinking of other people. She said, ‘why should I make you worry?’”
For the past six weeks Ignacio has endured chemotherapy and remains hospitalized.
Ignacio was diagnosed with acute myelogeneous leukemia. AML is considered one of the more aggressive forms of leukemia, quickly weakening the immune system.
Her only cure is a bone marrow transplant. The odds of finding a match are one in 20 thousand. But there are only 40 thousand Filipinos on the national registry. The five-year survival rate for anyone with AML is about 23 percent.
Ignacio’s cousin Joy Crisologo says, “I ask on behalf of my family and many more out there that needs anything, it takes one person to make a difference and the reward is just beneficial, you save a life.”
Ignacio’s brother in-law Alfred Ignacio is familiar with the need for bone marrow donors.
Alfred’s cousin Anthony Anopol died of leukemia in 2008. Anopol never found a donor. He says, “It’s never going to be easy but all the support we’re getting from friends and family just makes this bump a little easier to travel. Her husband Lawrence, being a firefighter, he’s saving strangers’ lives every day. Now, he’s asking strangers to save his wife’s life.”
There are no factors in developing leukemia. All patients and doctors know is a bone marrow transplant is needed as quickly as possible. To increase the chance of finding a match, friends and family will be holding several drives over the next couple of weeks.
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i wanted to help those who need bone marrow, if i will be a match. But i am needing something in return,
Steve — Great piece to spread awareness about Filipinos facing this. I know you’ve done several. I am actually running the Disney Half Marathon in a couple of months with Team in Training to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because I’ve witnessed the struggles families endure when touched by cancer. I joined the registry in college and am always looking to do more. Will be writing something up for TNT/ LLS and welcome people to share their stories. God Bless!
I am also a 32 year old Filipina women who has been diagnosed with AML. I wish there was a way to spread more awarness to the Filipina community about the importance of joining the national registry. I don’t think people realize how easy it is to join (just go to http://www.marrow.org) and if someone is a match donating is such a simple procedure (it’s as easy as giving blood). I am so afraid I’m not going to find a bone marrow match. I have 2 small children and so much to live for. I know there are lots of other Filipinas in my same situation. I wish we I could get together with other Filipinas in my situation and find a way to spread the message or hold bone marrow drives together.
How can one donate if you live here in San Diego.
[...] Filipina Needs Bone Marrow Donor | Balitang America [...]
This is a great article. Stevie – thank you.
Lor we are all working hard to find Michelle a match. We love you both dearly.
Angelica – please come by the drive this saturday to register. We hope to see you there and we thank you for your willingness to help.
Hi Lor I plan on passing by this Saturday with some friends. A good sign of support is the show got several emails about the drive for the past couple weeks. I actually first heard from a good friend I believe she’s a godsister of someone in the family.
Hi Angelica please send me an email and any info on any drives your son may be having. Steve_Angeles@abs-cbn.com. Have you worked with the Asian donor program yet?
I’ve done stories on at least 7 cases within the state heartbreaking to see it, and frustrating to know there are way too few Filipinos in the registry. The day I stop reporting on this issue means Filipinos would have built a big enough registry that this is no longer an issue. Good luck to you both.
There will be a bone marrow drive at Serramonte Mall (Daly City) on Saturday (March 06) from 11am-3pm. We hope to see you there Angelica!! Please pass the word to all your friends!! Thank you for supporting Michelle!
I would like to find out if I could be a match for Michelle. I saw Balitang America this afternoon and had been trying how I can help. I have a son who has leukemia and I know how her loved ones must feel right now. Please inform me of any scheduled drives. I live in Daly City. Thank you.