DUBAI // A father who has leukaemia is anxiously waiting for the results of tests on his bone marrow to find out if he is well enough to have a life-saving transplant.
Larry Castro, 35, from the Philippines, is in desperate need of a transplant after repeated relapses and undergoing numerous cycles of chemotherapy.
He had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) diagnosed in 2011 and has had two relapses after undergoing chemotherapy at points over the last four years.
“My last round of chemo ended on September 14 and I’ve been recovering since then,” said Mr Castro.
“I went for some tests on my bone marrow on Monday and we’re expecting the results back this week.
“If the results come back that I have 5 per cent or less cancer then I’ll probably be discharged from Dubai Hospital and will immediately be able to have the transplant operation.”
Although Mr Castro, who works as a building painter in Dubai, has a bone-marrow donor, the stumbling block is the cost of the operation.
“I need to raise Dh400,000 to pay for the operation in the Philippines,” he said.
He is hopeful of getting a donation of Dh50,000 from Emirates Red Crescent and Dh30,000 from various other charities.
However, that still leaves a significant shortfall, so Mr Castro has set up and online appeal through crowd-funding website You Caring.
“I’m appealing for US$100,000 (Dh367,300) and so far there is about $5,330 donated,” he said.
“Hopefully people will see my story and decide to help.”
It’s been a difficult period for Mr Castro and his family, especially his 12-year-old daughter Charmaine, and doctors have warned him that only a bone-marrow transplant will give him the best chance of overcoming the disease.
He was admitted to hospital in September last year and underwent five cycles of chemotherapy.
“Since the end of the treatment a few weeks ago I’m feeling a lot better physically,” Mr Castro said.
“It takes about a month or so for the blood to recover fully and I really hope the tests come back to show that I can have the operation.
“If not, I will have to undergo yet another round of chemo.”
AML is a cancer of the white blood cells and is very aggressive, resulting in frequent infections.
For more information or to donate, please visit www.youcaring.com and search for "Larry Castro".
nhanif@thenational.ae
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
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- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
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Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
The six points:
1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences
2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it
4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided
6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.
8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
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Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support