2022 Letter: Dear families, friends, and colleagues:
As most of you may know, My wife, Amy, passed away almost two years ago from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of blood cancer.
From 2018, for two years while she struggled with this cancer, I personally observed on how this disease devastated her and all of our families and friends around her. The number of hospital visits, the blood transfusions, needles, and chemo treatments are beyond imagination. While we had brilliant doctors and nurses who look after her, the disease persisted. The pain she endured, which she suffered in silence as she did not want to worry us, and we felt so helpless on how to comfort her. In the end, God recalled my angel home and she finally received peace and no more pain.
Last year, I was committed to honor her memory by supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) as a member of their Edmonton Executive Leadership Committee, and to raise funds under the banner “The “A” team” for remembering Amy. With your generous support, we exceeded our expectations and raised a little over $16,000 in the Light the Night 2021 event. Thank you, and I need
to tell you that I am not finished yet as I hope to continue to support this organization until together, we find a cure for Leukemia. This may take several years, and I willing to partake this journey with your support.
In planning with the Light The Night 2022 Campaign, The Edmonton Executive Leadership Committee wishes to raise adequate funds to retain a medical researcher. I have committed to personal target of $10,000, within an overall target of my team of at least $20,000 this year to support this initiative.
During our difficult journey with Amy, I was introduced to many amazing doctors and nurses at various cancer clinics, and I believe, together with additional researches, a cure will be found. I am asking for your financial support. Please be generous as the needs are great. Remember your donations are tax deductible.
Please forward your donation to “Light the Night 2022” Campaign, LLSC, care of “the “A” team” in remembrance of Amy, a team led by Bing Ung.
Donation through Bing Ung (team lead)
Goal $10,000
Donation through the A team members (Ala, Jerome, Mark, Michele, & Thuy)
Team goal totaling $20,000.
Team member sites will be set up shortly
You can help by:
Donating $50, $75, $100, $200, $500 or $1000 (donations of $25+ will receive a tax receipt) – please be sure to click the “Donate to Bing” button at the top of this page
And...
Joining my team, “The A Team”, and let’s fundraise together! Click "The "A" Team" button near the top left of this page, then click "Join the team" on our team page and we’ll get started!
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for supporting us in any way you can!
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2021 Letter: Dear Friends and colleagues,
I hope you’ve been keeping well and safe in this COVID-19 environment. I am reaching out and asking for your assistance on a personal matter.
As you may know, I’ve had a major change in my life last year – my wife, Amy, passed away due to complications arising from her treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Amy was diagnosed with AML on December 11, 2018. Needless to say, that we did not host our annual extended family Christmas party at our home as we were overwhelmed with her cancer treatments. We were in and out of the University of Alberta Hospital and the Cross Cancer Clinic so often that they became our second homes. Amy was treated by amazing doctors and nurses. Into early 2019, we were informed that with a match, she would qualify for a stem cell transplant operation, which would extend her life. We mobilized our family and friends globally in the search for a stem cell match. Through checking donor databases and extensive blood testing, we were lucky to find a match.
Mid 2019, we were informed that due to schedule changes, an operations window had opened at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (TBCC). We quickly moved to Calgary so that Amy can undergo the stem cell transplant. It was amazing that God made the transition so smoothly. We found a vacant two bedroom fully furnished apartment with underground parking near the hospital, and I was able to continue with my consulting work remotely.
So, picture my scenario…
At times, while she’s being treated in the hospital, I would be in the hallway waiting for her while connected back to my client’s office. Many nights I spent with her sleeping on the reclining chair that the nurses had arranged for me. This went on for several months until she was finally discharged by TBCC.
We were hopeful of a successful operation and moved back to Edmonton. A couple of months later, her blood count started to fluctuate again, and the disease had resurfaced. Amy was back on Chemotherapy treatments and we both knew that this is a matter of time as we know we are losing the battle.
You know, as Asians don’t like to discuss death, or anything related to death. Its amazing that Amy and I discuss this matter to the point where I bought my iPad to her hospital room and we looked up cemetery plots, caskets, and other arrangements together. Shortly after that, God recalled my angel home. Again, the funeral service went smoothly because we had the opportunity to plan together.
Now I am convinced that I can use my skills to help raise funds for research in the fight against blood cancer. So, you see, this has become personal to me.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma society’s signature fundraising and community event, Light The Night, is coming up on October 23rd, 2021. I am reaching out to ask for your support. And remember, every dollar counts in the research for a cure for blood cancer.
I have established a team, named “The A Team” for remembering Amy. Please contribute generously and together we can push to eradicate this disease.
Our team’s goal is to raise $8,888.88 by October 23rd
(as you can surmise, this is the Asian luck number, so please help push us over the top. Thank you)
You can help by:
Donating $50, $75, $100, $200, $500 or $1000 (donations of $25+ will receive a tax receipt) – please be sure to click the “Donate to Bing” button at the top of this page
Joining my team, “The A Team”, and let’s fundraise together! Click "The "A" Team" button near the top left of this page, then click "Join the team" on our team page and we’ll get started!
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for supporting us in any way you can!
