Community Corner

Help Find a Bone Marrow Donor for Jack Chin

Volunteers of Chinese descent are especially needed.

The search for a bone marrow donor match for continues Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, his alma mater, when a donor registration drive will be held in his name.

Chin, 23, a graduate of Monta Vista High School, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July and learned recently that the treatment he was receiving wasn’t working; he needs a transplant.

A  turned out about 100 registrants, but it’s too early to know if any of them will be Chin’s match.

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When April Scott, principal of Monta Vista High School, and others at the school learned about Chin’s plight they decided to look into holding a drive specifically in Chin’s name, she said.

Chin is a well-liked former student, Scott said, and though she didn’t get to know him, others can’t say enough good things about them.

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Among his former teacher fans is I-Chu Chang, Chin’s Chinese 4 class teacher.

“If I am to use some adjectives to describe Jack,  ‘bright’, ‘positive’, ‘responsible’, ‘humorous’, and ‘caring’ would come (to) mind right away,” she said.

Chin’s likeability is something that has stuck with his teachers even since his 2007 graduation.

“There are just some students that stay with you and that is Jack to a T,” said Maria Carter-Giannini, who said she had him in her Advanced Placement US History class.

“Jack is all heart. I think he may have had the biggest heart of any of my students in my career,” she added.

The registration drive is open to anyone 18 or over, with a special emphasis on encouraging those of Chinese ethnicity—the same as Chin—to come out. Registering is easy and getting tested is a simple cheek swab. A National Marrow Donor program donation FAQ can answer more questions regarding the process.

Chin needs a match soon; his twin brother, Jim, isn’t a match, neither are any other family members. There is about a 1-in-20,000 chance of finding a non-related match, but his chances increase with the ethnic connection.

“I sincerely hope that as many people as possible will do such a tiny thing like getting their cheek swabbed on Friday. The benefit for Jack and others struggling with this disease cannot be overstated. I pray that our MV community will band together for one of our own. For Jack,” Carter-Giannini said.

The Asian American Donor Program, which ran the Saturday drive, will also run the drive at Monta Vista. Those who can't make the drive can request a free and easy cheek swab kit in the mail here:http://join.bethematch.org/jack.

See more about Chin on the Facebook page, Save Jack From Leukemia athttp://www.facebook.com/savejacktoday or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jackchintheboss.


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