AdminSubang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) recently hosted a heartwarming Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Gala Dinner, bringing together survivors, donors, caregivers, doctors, and supporting medical teams. The event celebrated over 900 successful bone marrow transplants performed at SJMC, a notable achievement for both adult and pediatric patients. As the first private hospital in Malaysia to perform an adult haematopoietic stem cell transplant in 1999, SJMC continues to lead with the highest number of bone marrow transplants conducted by a private hospital in the country.
The gala, part of SJMC’s “Courage Over Cancer” series, honored the resilience of bone marrow transplant patients, their families, and the dedicated medical teams. Bryan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of SJMC, highlighted the hospital’s commitment to patient care and innovation. “Tonight, we are celebrating the incredible stories of how bone marrow transplant has bridged lives. SJMC takes pride in being a pioneer by introducing stem cell transplants through the establishment of our Blood Diseases Centre and Blood Bank. Prioritising our patients at the heart of care, we hope to continue this journey, celebrating courage and celebrating life.”
Uplifting stories took center stage, with panel discussions featuring both adult and pediatric BMT survivors and their doctors. One such story was shared by Eugene Yap, a 51-year-old patient treated by Dr. Ng Soo Chin, Consultant Haematologist at SJMC. Diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2016, Eugene underwent a haploidentical transplant with his half-matched brother after experiencing a relapse. Reflecting on his journey, Eugene shared, “I am looking forward to catching up on the time lost with my family, going on a family trip, and looking forward to living life again.”
Dr. Ng Soo Chin expressed the hope and resilience seen in patients undergoing complex procedures like haploidentical bone marrow transplantation. “Advancements in medical technology and conditioning regimens have made it a viable and potentially life-saving option for a wider range of patients. It’s rewarding to witness the resilience of our patients as they undergo this transplant and emerge with a renewed chance at a healthy life,” she noted.
Commitment to Patients and Community
The gala also showcased the inspiring journey of 8-year-old Mahiyaa Bala Jeganath. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in 2019, Mahiyaa required advanced treatments including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Her 4-year-old brother served as her bone marrow donor, and she now celebrates her one-year post-transplant mark. Mahiyaa bravely shared, “I went through many types of treatment in the past three years. Now, I feel brave that I’ve beat cancer.”
The event featured a video about Beh Bao Yuan, a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 4. She underwent a bone marrow transplant with Prof. Emeritus Dr. Lin Hai Peng, Consultant Paediatrician & Paediatric Haematologist-Oncologist of SJMC, while her 9-year-old sister served as her donor. Now, two years post-transplant, Beh Bao Yuan is thriving. “After the transplant, she can swim and do the things she loves,” her parents shared, relieved and happy.
Dr. Alan Teh Kee Hean, Consultant Haematologist at SJMC, spoke on “Bone Marrow Transplantation: State-of-the-Art,” highlighting the latest advancements in BMT technology. He emphasized that advancements in haploidentical transplants now offer outcomes comparable to matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplants, making them a viable alternative treatment.
In a gesture of community support, SJMC presented mock cheques to the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), Faith Hope Love (FHL) Care Hospice Malaysia, and Childhood Cancer Association Malaysia (CCAM). These funds will support underprivileged BMT and cancer patients, underscoring SJMC’s dedication to corporate social responsibility.
The night also featured various entertainment segments, including live performances, stand-up comedy by Douglas Lim, and exciting lucky draws. A portrait display in the foyer showcased the inspiring stories of eight adult and pediatric survivors alongside a donor, celebrating their bravery and resilience.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Bryan Lin concluded the evening with an optimistic outlook on the future of bone marrow transplantation. “Bone marrow transplant is a highly delicate and complex procedure. Finding a perfectly matched donor is key to a successful transplant. Even with a matched donor, collecting sufficient healthy stem cells requires careful management. The future of bone marrow transplant is filled with exciting possibilities as we continue to expand our knowledge and harness the power of technology,” he stated.
SJMC’s advancements include the introduction of in-house Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, allowing for more accurate donor matching, thereby increasing the pool of compatible donors and improving transplant success rates. This commitment to innovation ensures that SJMC remains at the forefront of bone marrow transplant procedures, providing hope and healing to patients in Malaysia and beyond.
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