Helping Janet

Today is our dear Janet’s birthday. She would have been 26...

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 12:19:00 -0800

Today is our dear Janet’s birthday. She would have been 26 today. Words still can not describe how much we love and miss our friend. But her radiance, compassion to help others, thirst for knowledge, and passion for life continues to inspire us.

And so I kindly ask others today to join in celebrating Janet’s life.

Celebrate it by educating others the importance of being a marrow donor for other leukemia patients. Celebrate it through a simple act of kindness or finding your own way to bring joy to those around you. Or celebrate it by taking a second from your busy schedule and keep those who are undergoing chemo treatment in your prayers. Much love to you all.

Thank you for continuously supporting Helping Janet’s...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:07:00 -0700

Thank you for continuously supporting Helping Janet’s cause throughout these years. As a token of their sincerest gratitude, Janet’s family has graciously invited everyone to attend memorial services for Janet, to be held:

DATE: Saturday, October 6, 2012
TIME: Doors open 9:15 am, service begins 10 am
LOCATION: Pathway Community Church Dublin
6533 Sierra Lane, Dublin, CA 94568 (map/directions here)

Please plan to arrive early, as the funeral will be open to the public.

Throughout her life, Janet enjoyed being surrounded with families and friends. Please invite everyone to join and celebrate Janet’s beautiful life.

FLOWERS:
If you would like to send flowers, please deliver them by 9 am. Her favorite color was purple.

DONATIONS:
If you would like to make a donation to Janet’s family, please make check payable to:

Janet Liang

If you are attending the service, you may drop off your donation at the welcome table. If you are unable to attend, please mail it to:

P.O. Box 1526
Pleasanton CA 94566

We are also accepting donations through PayPal. Please use helpingjanet@gmail.com as the recipient. (A Team Janet member set up the account so you will see her name in your receipt, but please know that 100% of proceeds is going to Janet’s parents.)

Thank you.

Much love,

Team Janet

In light of Janet’s recent passing, we are now raising...

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:04:42 -0700

In light of Janet’s recent passing, we are now raising money to pay for Janet’s funeral and related expenses.

Please contribute what you can to help her family through these difficult times. All proceeds will be used by Janet’s family for pay for funeral-related expenses.

Please contribute what you can on the temporary Paypal link at HELPINGJANET.com.

In addition, you may donate through the official Paypal website, by filling out “helpingjanet@gmail.com” on the form. (A Team Janet member set up the account so you will see her name in your receipts, but please know that the money is going to Janet’s parents.)

Last but not least, we are welcoming checks by mail, payable to:

Janet Liang
P.O. Box 1526
Pleasanton, CA 94566

We have been overwhelmed by the sudden news of Janet’s passing, but also from the outpouring of prayers, sympathy, kind words, and love for Janet and her family. Thank you for being with us during this difficult time.

To all of Janet’s loving supporters, It is with a sad and...

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:54:46 -0700

To all of Janet’s loving supporters,

It is with a sad and heavy heart that we announce the passing of Janet Liang.

Janet has served as an inspiration to all those who knew her. Her big heart and big smile was something that we all cherished. And although she never fulfilled her dream of being a teacher, she has taught us all one very important lesson: love. Despite battling leukemia for 3 years, she has always found it within her to make her situation more than about herself. Her campaign to raise awareness and advocate for bone marrow donors was for the love of her fellow human. She has certainly taught all of us to love one another, and live each day as if it were our last. After bravely fighting cancer for three years, she has finally found her peace.

We ask that you provide her family with privacy and respect during this difficult time.

Thank you to all of Janet’s supporters. Your outpouring of love and support has always been a constant source of strength for her. Please help to honor her legacy by continuing the fight for leukemia awareness in her memory.

Today, Janet is celebrating her 2nd birthday: the day she...

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:57:24 -0700

Today, Janet is celebrating her 2nd birthday: the day she receives a marrow transplant and a new chance at life. Please keep Janet in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes the transplant.

Join us on our 45-day fundraising campaign to wish Janet a happy birthday!

Details are available on our WeDidIt campaign page.

All proceeds raised will fund Janet’s ongoing health care-related expenses.

P.S. Thanks everyone, for pledging $3,405 already! Let’s keep the momentum going.

Day Zero went well :) Like a dying Phoenix rising from its...

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:58:00 -0700

Day Zero went well :) Like a dying Phoenix rising from its ashes, I was reborn once again (Harry Potter reference heh). Here I am with my donor’s cells seconds before the infusion. More photos to come later!

To all of Janet’s wonderful supporters: Thank you to...

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:18:00 -0700

To all of Janet’s wonderful supporters:

Thank you to everyone for your continued love and support over the past couple years. Tonight is the eve of Janet’s marrow transplant - what we also call her “second birthday.” She will soon be on the road to recovery but will still have many hurdles in the months ahead.

We have had so many of you reach out to us about how you or your organization can help Janet directly. Beginning tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to do just that.

Stay tuned for more updates. Please continue to keep Janet in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes her transplant.

-Team Janet

Your prayers always seem to be helping Janet. Here’s the latest from her: “Via email...

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:26:48 -0700

Your prayers always seem to be helping Janet. Here’s the latest from her:

“Via email with my oncologist about my latest bone marrow biopsy check for relapse:

‘Hi Janet - Great news the bone marrow shows 2% blasts consistent with maintained complete remission. Excellent!!!’

What this means is that as I stay within 0-5% I am considered in remission and ready to go for transplant. Repeated tests will show that I am 0% or 1% or 2% once again. They will all fall in this range. I hope I continue to stay this way for the next 12 days since I’ll be admitted for my final run on Aug 19. Wheeee!!!”

Janet wants to develop a soundtrack and give away to other patients and survivors at MD Anderson. What are some of your favorite songs about faith, perseverance, survival, love, bravery, courage, etc.?

Check out the video below and join us and Asians for Miracle...

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 13:37:00 -0700

Check out the video below and join us and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (A3M) at the revamped 626 Night Market next Saturday, July 28th, in Pasadena, CA! Help save a life and enjoy great food and local vendors. 90+ people registered at the last event, and we hope to add even more donors at this one!

"We are all incredibly grateful and we don’t even know how to start thanking people properly,” said..."

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:20:43 -0700

““We are all incredibly grateful and we don’t even know how to start thanking people properly,” said Emily Wang, Janet’s best friend and one of the coordinators of the group Helping Janet. “I am truly touched by people’s generosity and kindness and it gives me hope that other patients will find their match, too.””

- “Leukemia patient finds donor after two-year search; fight continues to help Cynthia Rodriguez”, SF Gate.

Full article at Oakland North.

"Liang’s fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia has been a personal battle that started within..."

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:51:00 -0700

“Liang’s fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia has been a personal battle that started within her family and became a public cause for many of her friends after she started Team Janet. Now, it has spread into a global movement, reaching out to Asians across the United States, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.”

- “For minorities, search for bone marrow donors is a personal struggle,” Oakland North.

RSVP on Facebook HERE. P.S. Invite your friends and family!

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:29:00 -0700

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

P.S. Invite your friends and family!

Less than 24 hours left until the 626 Best Dance Crew...

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:19:00 -0700

Less than 24 hours left until the 626 Best Dance Crew Competition!

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

P.S. You’ll be able to register to join the marrow registry at the competition! All it takes is a cheek swab and a short form to fill out, and you’ll become eligible to save another person’s life!

fuckyeah626: “626 Movemeant & Team Janet would like to...

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:20:58 -0700

fuckyeah626:

“626 Movemeant & Team Janet would like to invite you to our dance competition / bone marrow registry benefit for Janet Liang/A3m.

www.helpingjanet.com | www.asianmarrow.org/

Location: Barnes Memorial Park (Outdoor Amphitheater), Monterey Park, CA Time: 2pm to 8pm
(Public event, open to all ages)

Local Dance Crews from the 626 Community will be competing for the title of “626 Best Dance Crew”

1st place winner will receive:

A dinner valued at $100 from Cha Cafe

15% VIP discount cards from Ray Ray

A photoshoot by Tommy Su of SnapIt Studio (YTF’s photographer)

Featured in the next Fung Brothers music video “BOBALIFE” and more to come…

Before the start of the event, A3M will hold a registry drive. All it takes is 4 to 5 mins to fill out a short form, get the cheek swab materials, swab your cheeks (takes 40 secs), and your done! It’s quick and painless. *You will need to be 18 & over to register* If you’re under the age of 18, please bring a family member that’s 18 & over.

There will be a $5 donation at the door for those who didn’t register with A3M on the day of the event and received a raffle for a meet & greet drawing with the celebrity judges & performers.

The competition will be Hosted by: The Fung Brothers (David & Andrew Fung)

Teams Competing:

Temple City High School - Choreo

Rosemead High School - All Male

Alhambra HS - All Male

Alhambra HS - Choreo

Bakarda Modern - West Covina

Honey Badgerz - West Covina

Notoriouz Crew - Baldwin Park

Fire Ferrets - San Gabriel

Mark Keppel HS - Choreo

Special performances by:

The Fung Brothers (YouTube Comedian Rappers)

Jason Chu (Asian-American Rapper)

Victor Kim (ABDC Season 3 winner, Singer, YTF)

Jonathan “Legacy” Perez (SYTYCD, Step Up 3D, Dance for Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas )

Kevin Lien ( YouTube Artist) and more…

Judges:

Victor Kim

Jonathan “Legacy” Perez

Bart & Joe (Just Kidding Films, YouTube Comedians)

Event filmed by: Brite Visuals

Event sponsored by:

City of Monterey Park

Cha Cafe

Ray Ray

Fluff Ice

OCA

SnapIt Studio

and more to come…

Please spread the word to your family & friends!
Facebook: facebook.com/626movemeant
Twitter: twitter.com/626movemeant
Website: 626movemeant.com

If you have any questions, please contact: tommy@626movemeant.com

Thank you for your support!”

RSVP ON FACEBOOK HERE.

More deets! Join us this Saturday and take a stand!

Team Janet + 626 Movemeant would like to invite you to the 626...

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:30:05 -0700

Team Janet + 626 Movemeant would like to invite you to the 626 DANCE CREW COMPETITION (a dance competition/bone marrow registry benefit for Janet Liang and A3M.)

Deets below:

DATE: Sat. July 14
TIME: 2-8 pm
PLACE: Barnes Memorial Park in Monterey Park, CA

For more information, check out the FB event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/422506264460673/

梁嘉欣找到骨髓配對了

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 22:25:00 -0700

東灣布利桑頓居民梁嘉欣（Janet Liang）20日宣布，成功找到一名合適的骨髓捐贈者。剛做完將近一個月化療的她，目前已出院休息，並等候最後的檢查報告確定何時進行捐贈手術。

25歲的梁嘉欣在Facebook上發表一則簡訊，表示在不斷搜尋骨髓資料庫後，終於找到一名合適度9分（滿分10分）的男性捐贈者，對方也表示願意接受捐贈手術。主治醫生也試圖從臍帶血庫中尋找適合的捐贈者，並將在近期決定該使用何種移植手術。

梁嘉欣說，她是全美使用新化療藥物的12名病患之一。僅一個化療周期中，癌細胞就從82%驟降到2%。梁嘉欣感謝全世界關心、幫助她的朋友，希望大家一起慶祝好消息，她也會盡全力完成這場馬拉松式的挑戰。

在主治醫生的建議下，梁嘉欣一個月前抵達休士頓癌症中心，嘗試最新的藥物治療。好朋友王蕾說，梁嘉欣已出院休息，狀況良好，目前正在南加州探訪朋友。

美亞骨髓捐贈會（AADP）羅皓兒指出，雖然捐贈者還未經過詳細體檢，不過為了和時間賽跑，雙方將同時進行最後檢查，等檢查報告兩周後出爐，就可以決定手術形式。

梁嘉欣2009年就讀洛杉磯加大四年級時，因急性淋巴細胞白血病發病而休學治療。今年1月底，她在病房自拍影片後上傳到Youtube網站，請求民眾登記骨髓捐贈，救她一命。該影片迄今有37萬網友點閱，連職籃明星林書豪都在臉書上呼籲球迷參加捐贈登記。

羅皓兒表示，梁嘉欣和Jack Chin尋找到合適捐贈者的消息讓人精神一振，但目前灣區仍有一名28歲的越華裔青年陳坤（Khon Tran）正在尋找適當的骨髓捐贈者。從註冊登記、樣本採集到進入骨髓捐贈資料庫需時四周，羅皓兒希望這些好消息可以鼓勵更多華裔民眾進行骨髓登記，幫助更多病患。

by 陳巧倫
June 23, 2012
World Journal (世界新聞)

"Dear co-survivors: Happy news abound. I am the 12th patient in the US to undergo this immunotherapy..."

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:42:53 -0700

“

Dear co-survivors: Happy news abound. I am the 12th patient in the US to undergo this immunotherapy drug — and I am finally in remission. My blasts went from 82% to 2% remaining in only one cycle of the drug.

I also have finally found a match - a 9/10 male donor. It’s not perfect, but I can’t complain! But now we are also looking for matches in the cord blood registry. My doctors and I will decide which route to go.

Wherever you are, please turn up the radio and let’s have a global dance party! :)

Thank you everyone for all your hard work. Now it’s on me to finish the marathon.

”

- Cheers, Janet

‘Helping Janet’ uses social media to save a life

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:29:46 -0700

An article by UC Davis’ student newspaper The California Aggie about Janet:

When UCLA student Janet Liang was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2009, she, her family and the doctors were the only people who knew about it.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, ALL is a cancer of the white blood cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell used by the body to fight infections, and bone marrow makes blasts – uniformed cells – that usually develop into these lymphocytes. However, the disease inhibits the development of normal blasts and, thus, the combat of infections.

After a year and a half in remission and a tragic relapse in 2011, Liang decided to tell others about her situation. While still in the hospital, Liang filmed and uploaded a video recording her plea for help to YouTube.

“I am scared of dying because of everything that I will leave behind,” Liang said in the video. “I don’t know if I’ll ever find my bone marrow match in time.”

The video went viral. Now, people all around the world know about Janet Liang, her disease and her desperate need for a perfectly matched bone marrow donation.

A campaign called Helping Janet was launched to help Liang find usable bone marrow. Although over 22,000 people have registered as donors, none of them are a perfect match. The “Helping Janet” website states that the deadline for Liang to receive a bone marrow donation is this month.

Liang, who graduated from UCLA with a degree in international development and has a passion for reading and writing, dedicated the campaign in memory of Michelle Maykin, who suffered from the same disease as Liang and initiated a grassroots campaign for her own perfect match.

People from all over the world have gotten involved, including UC Davis students Vincent Trinh and Alyssa Ng. Trinh, a senior English major, stumbled upon Liang’s plea for help on a social media website.

“We are both UC students, we’re both from the Bay Area, we’re both Asian Americans and we’re both activists within in our community,” Trinh said regarding his initial interest in Helping Janet. “Someone as sweet, talented and kind as her should not have to go through this.”

Trinh’s first act of involvement was coordinating a bone marrow drive at UC Davis. He teamed up with many Asian American organizations such as Lambda Fraternity and the Asian American Donor Program. They used many social media outlets such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to optimize the movement on campus. Trinh helped to register nearly 200 people within the course of two days.

Ng, a senior managerial economics major who has also aided such bone marrow drives, said that the complexity of the situation lies in the fact that Liang needs bone marrow from a person of a similar race.

According to Ng, Liang is having a hard time finding a match because Asian Americans make up only 7 percent of the entire bone marrow registry.

“In order for someone like Janet to find a perfect bone marrow match, her donor must be Chinese,” Trinh said. “Considering how diverse our Asian American community is and that we make up only 7 percent of the total registry, her chances are very slim.”

Liang has won several awards for her plight and perseverance, including the Spirit of Hope Award from Asian Miracle Marrow Matches, the Unsung Hero Award for 2012 from Asian Pacific Americans for Progress and the Juanita Haugen Community of Character Award for 2012.

Trinh and Ng both consider Liang to be a very talented writer and actively read her personal blog at janetgliang.com.

Helping Janet is uniquely linked to many forms of social media. The campaign has a blog, helpingjanet.tumblr.com; a website, helpingjanet.com; and a Facebook page, facebook.com/helpingjanet.

Registering to become a donor can be done online. Asian Americans and those of Chinese descent are especially encouraged to do so.

by Sara Islas
June 6, 2012
The California Aggie, UC Davis

A lovely mini-documentary featuring Helping Janet’s first...

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:22:06 -0700

A lovely mini-documentary featuring Helping Janet’s first benefit concert: PERFECT 10!

Thanks for coming out to the concert and making a difference, everyone!

A beautiful short featuring Arden Cho by The Jubilee Project to...

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:11:56 -0700

A beautiful short featuring Arden Cho by The Jubilee Project to remind us all to cherish life’s simple moments and to raise awareness about leukemia and joining the bone marrow registry.

For more information: