Be The Match & Save a Life

By: Veronica Leighton

 

Be The Match is the world’s largest and most diverse marrow registry. Despite more than 19 million people on the Be The Match Registry, only .4% are Filipino – and that means Filipino patients battling life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia or blood disorders like aplastic anemia have a very difficult time finding a life-saving bone marrow match (a match is often found in people of the same ethnic background).

Filipino singer and actor Guji Lorenzana lost his mother to cancer and made her a promise to make it his life-long mission to fight cancer. He used his talents to create “Be Alright,” a song and music video intended to provide comfort and hope to families coping with cancer. Now, Guji is asking the Filipino community in the U.S. to join the Be The Match Registry to give kababayans worldwide a second chance at life. Guji has partnered with Be The Match and the Asian American Donor Program (AADP) in a public awareness campaign that acknowledges the disparity that exists on the blood stem cell registry – and the need for more Filipinos to register to improve the odds for patients searching for a cure.

What began as a love song dedicated to his mother has turned into a mission to spread cancer awareness and prevention worldwide. Therefore, I did not hesitate to interview Guji for this humanitarian reason on CPRTV, sister broadcast company of Via Times, last January 24….

1. Why are you working with Be The Match?

a. Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia; more than 70% will not find a match in their family and will need a donor from the kindness of strangers.

2. Why are more Filipinos needed on the Be The Match Registry?

a. Finding a blood stem cell match is like finding a genetic twin. Patients are more likely to match someone of the same ethnicity. So a Filipino patient will likely find their match from a Filipino donor or someone of Asian descent. Yet Filipinos only make up .4% of the Registry. What this means is that the odds of finding a match on the registry is less than 50% for Filipino patients.

4. What is the process to register? Do you have to give a blood sample?

a. No blood needed – just a cheek swab. You can visit BeTHe- Match.org/BeAlright to register and request a kit.

5. Who is eligible to sign up? a. Doctors are more likely to request donors under age 44 – so we are asking 18-44 year olds to donate.

6. Does it cost anything to be a donor?

a. No, the costs to donate are covered by Be The Match or the patient’s insurance.

7. People may have heard bone marrow donation is painful. Can you tell us what the process is like?

a. Many people have seen inaccurate depictions of bone marrow donations on television. In fact the majority of the time doctors are requesting blood stem cells be extracted from your arm – it’s an outpatient procedure similar to donating plasma. Your body naturally replenishes your blood stem cells after a few weeks.

GUJI (Guji Lorenzana) is a singer – songwriter, recording artist, actor, host, and DJ – based in Manila, Philippines, originally from the Bay Area, California USA. Although known more for his acting on Philippine television and movies, GUJI started out in the music industry, writing songs and performing with bands in California until moving to the Philippines in 2006 to pursue music. Prior to entering showbiz, GUJI released two independent albums in the Philippines, garnering him award nominations for his music and live performances. Today, GUJI has been back in the studio, recording and releasing his own original material with Warner Music Philippines. Some have described some of GUJI’s music as electro pop rock. GUJI performs his live shows with a personal DJ set up, which he incorporates into his live band performances. Although electronic elements are highlighted in his music, GUJI still performs with a rock demeanor most are accustomed to hearing from GUJI.

Aside from music, GUJI is actively seen on Philippine television and films. He is also resident DJ at the largest beach club and nightclub in South East Asia, Cove Manila. GUJI is also the founder of a local music production called Oo, as well as an artist manager for some of the Philippines’ top independent music artists.

Filipino actor and singer Guji Lorenzana’s interview with CPRTV Host Veronica about the Be The Match, bone marrow transplant and his life as an entertainer in the Philippines.

A belated birthday bash for VT/CPRTV columnist/anchor Maria Girlie Pascual, held at her fave Siam Cafe, with James dela Cruz, Dan Gawat, Joe Mauricio & Veronica. Happy birthday, girl!

Business meeting with friend Jane Palomar and Ghadeer Alsalam from Saudi Arabia, about an anti-aging product, held at the popular The Arts Club in the Fold Coast.

An appreciation night and get-together of the “Paskuhan” participants held at the Philippine Consulate General. Paskuhan is a very successful Christmas event held at the Seafood City last December, with the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate and some Filipino organizations, for the first time in our community.

A post-Valentine visit with Dr. Elenita Rubio at her luxurious downtown condo overlooking the Millennium Park and the Loop’s points of interest (left photo). Although looking frail and tinier (petite size 4), she is still a pretty woman, as we know her, lively and full of energy, as usual. Elenita is one of the three survivors of the nightmarish fatal van crash in Cebu last year that killed seven medical missionaries (unfortunately, including her husband, Dr. Nunilo Rubio). Thanks for the opportunity of a wonderful visit and engaging tete-a-tete over lunch at Gage restaurant (right photo), shown with her niece and Joe Mauricio.