“Sometimes, it’s not about you. It’s about doing what’s right.”
For Nur Haziqah, signing up as a marrow donor wasn’t a grand decision. It was quiet, almost impulsive – the kind of good deed you do and forget. “I just thought, why not?” she recalls. “It cost me nothing, just a bit of time. If it could help someone one day, that was enough.”
She didn’t expect to hear back. But seven years later, during the fasting month of Ramadan, her phone rang. It was BMDP. She was a match for a child.
“I almost didn’t pick up,” she shared. In the middle of a hectic workday, the call grounded her. “It felt like the universe was saying, ‘This is it. This is your way to help.’”
Despite a fear of needles and her family’s initial resistance, especially from her mother, who feared the procedure would be surgical and risky, Haziqah stayed firm. “She thought I had a saviour complex, but once I explained how safe and simple the process actually was, she came around.”
The day of the donation came. She chose the peripheral blood stem cell donation. And although her narrow veins posed a challenge on the day itself, Haziqah remembers the calm and professionalism of the nurses who made it work without needing to resort to the more central line insertion.
“The nurses were incredible. They found the last backup vein and made it work.” The rest of the day was peaceful or Haziqah. “I slept, I chatted with the nurses… it was quiet. And afterwards, I felt… light.”
Recovery was swift. Within days, she was back at work. But emotionally, something shifted.
“It reminded me that being healthy is a privilege. That we can take small actions, tiny things, and they can mean the world to someone else.”
Haziqah has stayed on the registry and would do it all again, no question. “If it gives someone one more day with their family, one more shot at life, how could I say no?”
She hopes to meet the girl she donated to someday. Not for thanks, but just to see her smile. “That would be enough.”
"It’s funny when I think about it now. I signed up because I wanted to show my crush how kind I was. Little did I know, she'd soon become my wife. And even less did I know that years later, I’d get a call that would change everything."
When Wee Kiat received the news that he was a match for a patient in need, he approached it with the adventurous spirit he’s known for. "For me, it wasn’t scary. It was more like an interesting new challenge," he recalls. Yet, while his own fears were minimal, convincing his family was a different story. "People have this misconception that bone marrow donation involves a giant needle in your spine, and that it could cause long-term harm. But BMDP staff were great at explaining the process. My donation was through peripheral blood stem cells, which is similar to blood donation. It was much less invasive than people think."
On the day of the donation, Wee Kiat's excitement was tempered with the reality of the situation. "When the needle went in, the fear spiked for a moment. But the nurses were so experienced, I barely felt anything," he says. The atmosphere, lightened with some humor, included what Lim fondly describes as a "free lobster lunch," a small reward for a big act of kindness.
Wee Kiat's recovery was swift. "I was back to exercising within two days, and I don’t even usually work out!" he says, reflecting on how the experience prompted him to rethink his life. "We’re always waiting for the next big thing... waiting to grow up, waiting for the right moment... but life is happening now. Donating bone marrow made me realise how precious each day is."
Since his donation, Wee Kiat has become an advocate for the cause, sharing his story with friends and encouraging others to sign up as donors. "People often have reservations, but as comedian Russell Peters says, ‘Be a man, do the right thing.’ And if you’re single, trying to impress someone... trust me, this works!" he jokes, though the sincerity in his voice is unmistakable.
When asked if he would go through the process again, Lim doesn't hesitate. "Absolutely. Knowing what I know now, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The joy of giving someone hope, even just a little, is something I’d never pass up."
When Nur Siti Zubaidah, a student care teacher, signed up as a marrow donor at a community event, she did so out of curiosity and a desire to help. Little did she know, this decision would one day lead to a life-saving gift for a young girl named Ria Nadira.
Then-8-year-old Ria (middle) and her parents
Ria, now 12, was only eight years old when she received the transplant that would change her life. Diagnosed with Thalassemia, a condition that required frequent blood transfusions, Ria faced the challenges of treatment with incredible courage. The most difficult part for her was losing her hair and being separated from her family and friends. Despite these hardships, Ria’s best friend made sure she never felt alone, calling her every day to play video games and keep her spirits high.
Years passed after Zubaidah registered as a donor, and she had nearly forgotten about it when the call came: she was a match for someone in need. Shocked but resolute, Zubaidah immediately prepared herself for the donation process, taking comfort in the support of her family and friends. Her choice of the peripheral blood stem cell donation method, guided by the medical team, ensured a quicker recovery and minimal discomfort.
The day of the donation was one of quiet determination for Zubaidah. Surrounded by caring medical professionals, she felt at ease, knowing that her actions would soon bring hope to a young girl’s life. The recovery was smooth, and Zubaidah resumed her daily routine with a renewed sense of purpose.
For Ria, the transplant marked the beginning of a new chapter. The once daunting blood transfusions were now a thing of the past, and life had become better and easier. Reflecting on her journey, Ria encourages others in similar situation not to be discouraged.
Looking back, Zubaidah feels a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing that her decision to donate has given Ria the chance to live a fuller, healthier life. Though they have not yet met, Siti is eager for the opportunity to see Ria’s smile - a testament to the impact of her selfless act.
