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Kidney recipients face uncertain fate
B. Phillip Webb Jr.
Nong Jung Yai - Tuk took her
mother’s hand as they stepped out of Sapaiyont Hospital and into the
sunshine. The pair smiled at each other, but they knew that their happiness
had come at a price.
Tuk is her mother’s youngest daughter. A few years ago,
she was diagnosed with kidney disease, and since then the family has spent
everything they have on treatment. They were even forced to sell their
house. However, the illness refused to abate.
 Tuk
with her favorite teddy bear
“We were desperate, I realized that there was only one
solution - I would give Tuk one of my kidneys”, explained her mother.
“Of all the members of our family, only Tuk’s older sister and I share
the same blood group as her.
“Her sister offered to be the donor, but I would not
allow it. She still has her whole life ahead of her.
“Once I had made the decision, we faced a long and
difficult administrative process. Even when I was on the operating table,
the doctors were still asking me if I was sure.”
Tuk’s health has improved dramatically since the
surgery. “I feel better with every day that passes, but my mother still
looks pale,” she said.
A total of 22 kidney transplants have been carried out in
Sapaiyont Hospital. Of these, 18 were performed by Dr. Samai Butwong. He
said that the operations can bring sadness as well as happiness.
“We have seen more than a few families taking their
loved one home to wait for the end, knowing they have poured the very last
of their money into dialysis treatment,” he said.
Many people have offered to donate kidneys, but we’ve
later discovered that they were doing it in exchange for money. Others agree
to the procedure, but become worried and change their minds when doctors
explain what it involves.”
With his pale, sallow skin and dark shadows circling his
eyes, Jeb looks younger than his 17 years.
His father is desperate to donate a kidney to his only
son, but doctors have refused to perform the transplant operation as he is
suffering from heart disease.
“I am ready to die for my son,” he said, “I would
do anything to save him.”
“I don’t want my father to give his life in exchange
for mine, because he has to be here to look after my mother and sisters,”
said Jeb. “Sometimes I get angry with the world. I think, ‘Why me? Why
do I have to go through this?’ But then I look at my father, and I see
that he is experiencing my suffering many times over.”
His father explained that Jeb has been undergoing
dialysis treatment for four years. “We are running out of money, and we
are running out of time. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to save my
son’s life,” he said.
Dr. Butwong is sympathetic to their situation, but he has
strict rules when it comes to performing transplants. “I consider kidney
donation to be a noble and momentous act. I will only carry out the
procedure when I am confident that the risk to life is as minimal as
possible, and when both donor and recipient are absolutely sure they want to
go ahead,” said Dr, Butwong.
“It is illegal to buy, sell or barter organs in this
country, because you cannot put a price on life. I will only perform
transplants in special circumstances, and only then because I believe that
you cannot put a price on the love one family member has for another.”
We have some wonderful news for Jeb and his family.
Several Rotary Clubs up in northeast Isaan have heard the
plight of Jeb and his problem and have heeded the call to help cover the
entire cost of his transplant procedure, with the help of Dr. Butwong
offering to donate his services free of charge.
After hearing of Jeb’s critical situation and the need
of urgency, the Rotary Clubs immediately put in a massive fund-raising
campaign to raise the needed funds.
Along with individual members contributing; going from
door to door, businessmen in neighboring towns giving generously, the funds
were raised to the jubilation of Jeb and his family.
“It just shows the love and compassion that people have
for other human beings when a crises is at hand.”
“And speaking of love and compassion, I think none of this would have
been possible without the immediate action of the Rotary Clubs. They truly
are ‘warriors of love’ when it comes to helping the community,” said
Dr. Butwong.
Science Day goes with a bang
Rayong English Programme School in Ban Chang enjoyed a
day of science fun on Friday August 20. Teachers and students decided to
try out a variety of experiments in response to the government’s National
Science Day on August 18.
Main
picture: Jojo measuring sand. Left: Timmy’s looking blue! Right:
Beautiful bubbles.
Everyone participated in a variety of activities
including making rockets, bubble pictures and magic bags. They learned
about the properties of matter, electricity, measuring and colours and a
hair-raising time was had by all!
Rayong English Programme School is a new fully bilingual
school based in Ban Chang; we are currently accepting children from K1-P3.
Final countdown to the Jesters Children’s Fair
Mike Franklin
It promises to be the biggest and best Jesters
Children’s fair yet - once again at the scenic Diana Garden Resort &
Driving Range, North Pattaya. Sunday September 12 is the day, from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
It’s easy to get there (see the Diana Driving Range
location map below), and if you need transport you can pick up the free
Diana shuttle bus at the Diana Inn, 2nd Road.
 Bernie
Bear
The 2004 Fair Program Guide, on sale at the entrance, is
50 baht and is your entry to the Children’s Fair (children are free). It
tells you everything about the day’s activities, events, and stage
performances. The fair layout plan details the many stalls to visit.
Children’s games and activities, food & drink from all over the world
and interesting things to buy, plus the Children’s Raffle stall. Plenty of
shade at the stalls and covered areas to stay cool, or even cooler in the
‘Cool-Mist’ Green Garden next to the Jesters beer tent.
The draw for the Children’s Raffle will be at 3.30 p.m.
on the main stage, with a wonderful range of prizes sponsored by the Pattaya
Sports Club, Jesters and other individuals.
Unfortunately a giant panda could not be tracked down, so
Bernie Bear features as the focal prize in the Children’s Raffle,
surrounded by many attractive prizes. They include color TVs, VCD/MP3
player, DVD players, remote control vehicles, children’s bicycles, vacuum
cleaner, digital camera, Sony CD walkman, cordless remote phone, Lord of the
Rings set, Canon printer/scanner/copier, microwave oven, home theatre sound
system, educational computer and a mobile phone.
Children’s Raffle tickets will be on sale at the fair
for B.20 each, B.200 for a book of 12, three books for B.500 or seven books
for B.1000. Visit the Children’s Raffle stall and see the prizes on offer.
Staff from Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and other friends will be on hand to
sell you tickets and the chance to win. You can also have a free blood
pressure check with the BPH nurse at the raffle stall.
The Children’s Fair ‘T’ Shirt comes in a range of
children’s and adult sizes to suit everyone. This colorful souvenir of the
Children’s Fair and the 2004 Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive is
on sale at B.300, or two for B.500.
All proceeds from the program guide, ‘T’ shirt sales
and the Children’s Raffle go directly to the Charity Drive Fund to support
projects with the Fountain of Life Children’s Center and Next Step
program, the Redemptorist School for the Blind, Naklua, the Eastern Child
Welfare Protection Institute, Huay Pong, VFC Mercy Shelter, Happiness Camps
and the Rayong Remand Center. More details in the Fair Program guide.
We hope to see you at the Diana Garden Resort &
Driving Range (check the location map) on Sunday September 12 between 10
a.m. and 6 p.m. Visit us at the Children’s Raffle stall and be sure to be
there at 3.30 p.m. for the Children’s Raffle draw. The children’s
tug-of-war follows that.
After the opening ceremony by Sophin Thappajug and Graham
MacDonald, and throughout the day we have a really busy program of star
performances, activities and organized children’s games, with lots of live
music through to the close. It’s a fun day for the whole family and
especially for the children. So be there and have a fun day out.
The Jesters Pub Night is six days later on Saturday
September 18 at Shenanigans. The auction has an outstanding and unique item
for rugby fans. The whole New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ team has signed an
All Blacks shirt and you can pre-bid for this item at the Jesters Charity
Drive web site at www.care4kids.info
Football fans may be interested in the Euro 2004 shirt
signed by David Beckham, and an Arsenal shirt signed by the team.
Meanwhile, we hope to see you at the Jesters Children’s fair on Sunday
September 12.
Erik & Robert to cycle from Trat
Mike
Franklin
The Jesters Charity Bike Ride, organized by Kim Fletcher
and Shenanigans, which normally takes place early morning on the day of the
Children’s Fair, is not a go this year as road works and the condition of
many of the roads makes it unsafe for 25 and 50 Km rides.
 Erik
Sorensen (left) from Scandi Bar and trainer Robert Johansson (right) plan to
cycle from Trat to Pattaya (267 km) on September 11 to raise money for
charity.
Significant funds have been raised through Bike Ride
sponsorship in the past, so all would seem lost. However, Erik Sorensen from
Scandi Bar and trainer Robert Johansson, always ready with a new feat of
endurance to raise money for charity, have decided to cycle from Trat to
Pattaya on September 11, the day before the Fair.
Forget 50 km, this is a 267 km back-breaking ride in a
day. Woody and I spoke to them at one of their training water stops out at
the Wat Yang reservoir, fully togged up in their 2002 Baltex event shirts
that were worn on the 50km walk they did that year. They have specially
equipped very light bikes with tires at 140 psi so it sounds like a hard
ride.
Not only that, but Erik invites everyone to a Bicycle
Buffet at Scandi Bar on Sunday September 5 starting at 8 p.m. It is 500 baht
and all proceeds will go to the 2004 Charity Drive fund. There will be a
Scandinavian cold buffet and hot dishes as well. So, do try to come along
and wish them luck.
Anyone wishing to sponsor their marathon ride can do so
at the Marriott Fitness Center in the mornings, or go to the Scandi Bar in
the evening. Daytime you will have to jump on a bicycle and chase them on a
50km warm-up lap to Wat Yang.
There is another unusual cycling event planned for early
October by David Garred at the Dusit Fitness Center. This will be an indoor
‘Virtual’ Bike Ride and David will be at the Children’s Fair on Sunday
September 12 to demonstrate the Virtual Cycling machine and give details.
Meanwhile, please sponsor Erik and Robert, they really deserve it.
Kids rock at the Hard Rock
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
To celebrate Her Majesty’s Birthday this year, the Hard
Rock Hotel invited 29 school children from Pattaya School Number 6, Wat Tham
Samakhi, to a day of fun and games at the hotel complex.
 This
is how you rock!
Andrew Khoo, the effervescent general manager said, “We
at the Hard Rock Hotel have always seen the importance of giving
underprivileged children a chance to see and experience the better things in
life. Therefore on any national holiday or whenever the children have a day
off, we usually invite them to come to visit us, where they are given a most
fulfilling fun day of games and especially to indulge in some great food. We
call it the ‘Kids Wanna Rock, Project 3 by Bryan Adams’.”
 The
banana boat races were a big hit.
Andrew went on to say, “This year is a most auspicious
year because of Her Majesty’s 6th cycle birthday and we wanted to do
something really special for the kids.”
The kids enjoyed a day of swimming, banana boat rides, and played water
polo. Pallop Thai-aree, managing director of AVIS Thailand, was also on hand
to entertain the children and advise them of the importance of getting
involved in sporting activities to keep away from wrongdoing.
Andrew
Khoo (left), Hard Rock Hotel’s effervescent general manager said, “We
have always seen the importance of giving underprivileged children a chance
to see and experience the better things in life … and especially to
indulge in some great food.”
“Happy
Mother’s Day!”
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