people the teen years are challenging enough,for some, there are further complications—and one such young woman turnedthose into a wayto help others. The Problem Here’s her story: Michelle Neuyen from Johns Creek, Georgia has a rare blood disorder called thalassemia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with thalassemia have a genetic defect of their red blood cells that affects the cells’ ability to produce normal hemoglobin. Red blood cells use hemoglobin to carry oxygen to tissues. As a result of the defect, most forms of thalassemia produce a chronic, lifelong anemia. Nguyen’s had it since she can remember and needs routine blood transfusions to maintain her strength. Every three weeksor so, she and her motherareoff to the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center in Atlanta to go through a process that should neverbe “rou- tine” for a 14-year-old, but like mostchild patients, she takes it in stride. What Nguyen really needs is a bone marrow transplant, but in order to have that procedure, she needs to find a match, which is no easy task, especially for someone of Asian descent. In spite of the efforts of such celebrities as Robin Roberts of “Good Morning Amerca,” who have championed the cause, Asians and African-Ameri- Michelle Nguyen and the adorable hi raise moneyfor childhood cancer faci jay duck she designed to help ies. Sixty-seven percent of potential Nguyen wasthrilled to know donorsonthelist are white. that her design won the contest The Duck and so will help other kids who Recently, while at the cancer are going through the same types centerfor her treatments, Nguyen of trials that she goes through. entered a contest to design the She wants to use her newfound annual Aflac Holiday Duck for the stardom to amplify the need for 2013 season. Every year, the marrow donors, the need for insurance company produces a improved childhood cancer treat- plush duck and sells it online at ments and additional research. www.Aflacholidayduck.com and at HowTo GetIt participating Macy's stores. All Nguyen’s Holiday Duck comes the net proceeds goto the nearest in both a 6- and 10-inch version cans are not well represented on participating childhood cancer and will be available through the national bone marrow registry. facility to whereit was purchased. November and December. So far, the program has raised Learn More There are 10.5 million potential donors on thelist and only about 7 more than $3 million of the $83 To learn more about bone marpercent are Asian and another 7 million that Aflac has come up row registration and how you can percent are African-American. with for childhoodcancer. help, go to www.bethematch.org.
