THE Christmas wish of 10-year-old Fung Tou-un, who is receiving treatment for leukaemia at Queen Mary Hospital, is to mark next year's festivities at home with his family.
But yesterday, he could only celebrate with more than 30 other patients who have received bone marrow transplants at the hospital and about 40 of their relatives.
The heartening gathering bore witness to the importance of the hospital's transplant work, which had saved the lives of the many adults and children present yesterday.
But if post-operation care were available, the Bone Marrow Unit at Queen Mary Hospital could do significantly more.
Operation Santa Claus aims to set up and maintain a sterile four-bed convalescent unit for transplant patients who require comprehensive out-patient treatment.
It is hoped $1.5 million out of the $5 million fund target will go to finance the vital project.
The rest of the money goes to the expansion of the Marrow Match Foundation and the purchase of autology equipment for the Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Prince of Wales Hospital.
