Yun’s Story

Yun shares his life with his wife Jumee. They met in 1989 and it was love at first sight; they have been inseparable ever since. They married in May 2000, and in October of that same year Yun was diagnosed with kidney failure. Fortunately, his sister Jin was a perfect match and donated a kidney to Yun. He is forever grateful to her for her gift and support, and although he has experienced side effects of the kidney transplant. he committed to taking care of his body through diet and exercise. He was even playing basketball until the age of 50— a feat that amazes his nephews! In 2005, having been trained in the culinary arts, Yun and Jumee opened VP Deli in Edison, New Jersey. They enjoy spending their days serving loyal customers who have become good friends over the years.

In 2021, Yun was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma. He is likely one of the first human patients with this form of blood cancer. He endured four rounds of chemotherapy that unfortunately did not help his condition. He started a more aggressive form of treatment this past July and is entering another round soon. His doctors believe a bone marrow transplant is his only viable chance for a cure. Unfortunately, no one in his family or on the current bone marrow registry is a perfect fit. Currently, people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent only have a 41% chance at finding a donor on the registry because of underrepresentation. Yun has partnered with Be the Match to encourage as many people to register as a potential bone marrow donor to save Yun’s life as well as to grow the list of nationally registered Asian donors - a list that is devastatingly short and in need of this awareness. This is where we need your help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Doesn’t it hurt to become a bone marrow donor?

Registering to become a potential donor is painless. All it takes it entering accurate contact information and then swabbing the inside of both your cheeks with long cotton swabs before closing the envelope and sending it in.

If you match with a patient in need of your bone marrow, you will like go through what is called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. To explain (very) simply, blood is taken from one arm, goes through a machine, and is returned to your other arm; it is similar to donating blood platelets.

For a much more detailed explanation, visit this useful page that compares the myths and facts of bone marrow donation.

How do I know if I’m eligible to join the registry?

You must be 18-44 to join the registry through Be the Match at this time. If you decide to join, there are health questions embedded in the intake form that help determine your eligibility based on your health history. Click here for more information about medical eligibility.

Why is Yun encouraging specifically Asian people to join the registry?

Bone marrow is matched using HLA markers found in tissue. Since tissue types are more likely to be inherited, patients have a better chance of having matching HLA types with someone of the same ethnic background. Since Yun is Asian, his best shot at finding a match is if more Asians/Pacific Islanders join the registry. However, he encourages anyone and everyone to join the registry today, especially people who are underrepresented in the registry.

What if I’m not sure? Who can I speak with?

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to discuss the process of joining the registry or becoming a donor. If we are unable to answer your questions or concerns, we will connect you to people who can.

How does Covid-19 affect in-person drives?

All members who help run drives are vaccinated and will have precautions in place. We can plan indoor or outdoor drives at schools, hospitals, religious houses of worship, even parking lots! We will work hard to register as many people as possible for Yun and other patients in need of bone marrow donation.

For more information, visit the Be the Match FAQ page