In 2018 Luke McLetchie was diagnosed with severe Acquired Aplastic Anemia (AAA) which is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disease. Only 2 children in one million are diagnosed each year in North America. His bone marrow was not producing red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets which put him at risk for an overwhelming infection or hemorrhage. Luke received blood transfusions and platelet infusions on a regular basis as well as immunosuppressant drugs at BC Children's Hospital. WATCH CTV STORY HERE
GOOD NEWS!
We are beyond thrilled to tell you that Luke is officially off his meds! Almost 2.5 years after being diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA), he is doing great. Luke still has lower platelets, but all other blood counts are normal. For now, lower platelets don’t really impact his day to day life. The hope is that Luke continues to improve and doesn’t relapse. You might be curious to know if he will still need a stem cell transplant. Right now, the answer is no. Unless he relapses, there is no need for a stem cell transplant.
Huge thanks goes out to the Vancouver Film/TV community that came out for our fundraiser in May of 2018. We raised $5,638 in one day and every penny went to his family to help Luke get the care he needed during such a scary time. Big Love to his Mom Jodee, Dad Ian, and their entire army of family & friends. We’re all doing a happy dance with you!
YOU CAN STILL HELP! If you are: Male between the ages of 17-35, general good health, willing to help all patients, willing to provide a cheek swab, and have valid provincial health care coverage, YOU ARE ABLE TO REGISTER! Start the process by clicking below.
Theirs are some of the most impressive names in the sci-fi sphere: Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG-1, Sanctuary); Simon Barry (Warrior Nun, Van Helsing, Continuum); Leah Cairns (Travelers, Battlestar Galactica); Aleks Paunovic (Van Helsing, War for the Planet of the Apes); Chelsey Reist (The 100); Rukiya Bernard (Van Helsing). These sci-fi standouts came together on May 27, 2018 for a single out-of-this-world afternoon in support of a 4-year-old sci-fi fan who needed all the help the universe could muster.
Straight Out of Sci-Fi: A star-studded sci-fi fundraiser for Luke McLetchie put these sci-fi stars in conversation with award-winning film and TV journalist Sabrina Furminger (YVR Screen Scene). The event offered a kind of “Inside the Actors Studio” but with a sci-fi – and charitable – twist. There was a silent and live auction of rare and unique items; photo opportunities with the stars; and the ability to sign up to be a stem cell donor with Canadian Blood Services’ OneMatch Stem Cell & Marrow Network. More info about donating here: https://blood.ca/en/stem-cell/onematch-information-new-registrants
SABRINA FURMINGER
Founder and editor-in-chief of YVR Screen Scene, a digital magazine celebrating the Vancouver film and television industry. As Reel People columnist for the Westender newspaper, she built up a loyal readership and won awards – a Women in Film & Television Vancouver Spotlight Award in 2016, and Ma Murray Awards in 2017 and 2018 – for stories that showcased the actors, filmmakers, crew, and creators who populate Vancouver’s dynamic screen scene. Sabrina is a familiar face on industry red carpets, an in-demand moderator and film festival juror (Vancouver International Film Festival and Crazy8s), and the film industry columnist for the Vancouver Courier newspaper. Her books include 2011’s The Healer, as well as Men of Science Fiction, a collaboration with celebrity photographer Dennys Ilic.
PRODUCERS
KRISTA RAND
Local Vancouver indie filmmaker and a mother of twin boys. She's known the McLetchie Family for years and when she heard the news felt the need to create a fundraiser while raising awareness of what it takes to become a stem cell donor. She just recently registered to be a blood and organ donor and encourages you to do so as well.
ORSY SZABO
On top of being a filmmaker Orsy is a certified Yoga Teacher and Registered Holistic Nutritionist, with a passion for helping people find a new level of well-being. She jumped at the chance to help pull together our community for such an important cause.
SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR SILENT AUCTION PARTNERS
GROUP PHOTO CREDIT: ROB TRENDIAK PHOTOGRAPHY