Sayin Baskan Kırlıkovalı,
I write to bring to your attention a sad story of a 17-year old Turkish child suffering from leukemia, which I learned about in Turkish media (https://tv.gazetea24.com/index.php?y=11&z=2012-09-24 08:22:00&i=67288 ). It seems the boy, Göksel Özdemir, has been given just two months to live unless he can find a suitable donor. He and his doctor thought they had found a donor in the United States, but unfortunately the individual reportedly changed his or her mind, as is of course anyone’s right in such a sensitive personal decision. Göksel’s mother, Mrs. Buket Burkaç, has appealed to me to assist. Our medical staff here at the Embassy have advised me that as a scientific matter, there is a far higher probability of finding a bone marrow match for her son among the Turkish population than among the (non-Turkish-origin rest of the) North American population. Given the large number of Turks and Turkish-Americans living in the United States, I thought that the ATAA membership might be interested to know about this painful case, and might indeed be able to extend the search for a suitable donor for this unfortunate child. Our Embassy would be very pleased to assist you or any ATAA members who may wish to communicate directly with Mrs. Burkaç.
Sincerely,