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MLA's cancer comes back; She beat this before and 'knows she can do so again'
In lieu of gifts or flowers, Hawkins has requested donations to BC Cancer Foundation for blood cancer and stem cell research. Donate here...
The Vancouver Province, Fri 02 Nov 2007
Byline: John Bermingham
Sindi Hawkins, deputy speaker of the B.C. legislature and Kelowna-Mission MLA, is again battling acute myeloid leukemia.
In a brief statement yesterday, Premier Gordon Campbell said Hawkins was admitted to hospital for treatment this week.
"Sindi will be on medical leave for the duration of the treatment required, which includes chemotherapy and a subsequent bone-marrow transplant," Campbell said.
Hawkins, 48, was first diagnosed with leukemia in January 2004, and received a life-saving bone-marrow transplant from her younger sister, Seema, a few months later.
She wrote a diary in The Province during her ordeal.
Her cancer has been in remission for the past three years.
"She has told me she feels fortunate that her sister, Seema, is a perfect match and will be her bone-marrow donor once more," Campbell said.
Campbell said Hawkins told him: "I am ready and strong. I fought this thing before and won and I know I can do it again. My medical team and the B.C. Cancer Agency is one of the best in the world and I am confident that I am in good hands. Please keep me in your prayers."
Hawkins is requesting privacy, but will try to write weekly updates on her website, www.sindi.ca.
"Sindi, and patients like her, require a lot of blood products over the course of their blood-cancer treatments," Campbell said. "She has requested that you consider becoming a blood donor."
In 2005, Canadian Blood Services honoured Hawkins for her work in support of blood and marrow donation in B.C.
jbermingham@png.canwest.com
ABOUT THE DISEASE
- Acute myeloid leukemia is a potentially fatal cancer that mostly starts in the bone marrow, where new blood cells are made.
- It can spread to the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain and spinal cord.
- The drop in blood cells can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising and bleeding, and increased risk of infection.
- It is treated with chemotherapy and bone-marrow transplants.
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For information:
Penny Noble APR, Senior Director Public Affairs,
BC Cancer Foundation: 604 707 5902, cell 604 805 5637
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