AN UPDATE: PRESS RELEASE!
The best Christmas present ever for Inspector Rik Basra.
A seriously ill police officer has received one of the best Christmas presents ever.
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Inspector
Rik Basra has, for many months, been battling against acute myeloid
leukaemia. His long term hope as been to identify a bone marrow donor.
Today, Rik has received the news he has been longing to hear - that a
matching bone marrow donor has been found.
Rik is now in hospital being prepared for the bone marrow transplant, which is hoped will take place in the next few days.
Rik's
wife, Kas Basra said: "We cannot believe this miracle. We have all
prayed and worked so hard for this moment and we can't believe it is now
happening. Although Rik still has to undergo the transplant and has a
long recovery ahead of him, he now has a chance of life and that is
fantastic. This is the greatest Christmas present we could have ever
wished for."
Over the past few months, many of Rik's family, friends and
colleagues have undertaken a number of donor giving and awareness
raising events to support Rik and many other people suffering from blood
cancers. More than 750 people attended two donor sessions held at
Leicester's Diwali celebrations and at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara on
East Park Road. Many more people have registered on line following the
awareness raising campaign.
Kas added: "I would like to personally thank everyone, including the
charity Anthony Nolan, for the overwhelming support we have received
throughout this anxious time. The biggest thanks must go to the
consultants, doctors and nurses at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, who
have and continue to care for Rik. Without their support, none of this
would have been possible."
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Dec 13, 2011-Leicester, UK: More than 600 potential bone marrow donors have provided saliva samples at an event in Leicester to help a police officer who has cancer.
The event was held at the Sikh gurdwara on East Park Road for Rik Basra, who was diagnosed two years ago with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Organisers said there had been a good response from the community.
The best match for Mr Basra, who needs a transplant, is likely to be an Asian male aged between 18 and 30. Only 4% of people from an Asian background are currently registered as potential donors.
Jenner Large, from the Anthony Nolan Trust, said the event had been very succesful and she was hopeful of holding more in other areas.
She urged people to register online at the Anthony Nolan Trust’s website.
She added that one of the reasons why people were reluctant to join the donor register was a lack of understanding about the process, which she said was no worse than giving blood.
Mr Basra’s wife Kas said she was delighted that the message about a shortfall of Asian donors was finally getting through to the local community.
Sikh Gurus extensivley guided his disciples to care for those who need help. It is in the Sikh tradition to help each other regardless of color, race, gender or nationality.
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Related:
http://www.sikhnet.com/news/rik-basra-save-life-campaign