The following letter below is from JFS member Scott Thompson. You can reach Scott at scott.thompson_at_tanito.co.id. JFS has had a long assoication with MCK and the wonderful work they do.

Dear All,

From the 3rd to 9th October I (JFS member Scott Thompson) will be competing in a 250km footrace across the Sahara Desert to help raise funds for a great cause here in Jakarta: Mary's Cancer Kiddies (MCK).

My hope is to raise funds for MCK and in particular to support a little boy that badly needs help. Rahmat, a 12 year old boy, has a mediastinal tumor that has grown so large he has trouble breathing. Unfortunately not all the tumor could be removed and he still needs support to breathe through a ventilator at Cipto hospital. His parents were insured under the SKTM system, but the government denied Rahmat further treatment as they had reached their limit. The parents also borrowed from friends and neighbours but have now exhausted these funds. The financial burden has become too great for the family and they advised the hospital that they will take the boy home. The boy is fully alert and aware of what is happening. Cutting him off from the assisted ventilation and taking him home will result in a rapid and painful deterioration in his condition. The boy has had 2 chemo cycles so far and should have 4 more before they can evaluate the treatment with a new CT.

This is where I hope you can help. I have set a target of raising 100 million rupiah (approximately $10,000 US dollars) which will cover a portion of his needs through the complete chemo cycle planned, and of course will keep him under intensive care and on the ventilator.

All funds raised will be through MCK which is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers in Jakarta. Their goal is to assist children (like Rahmat) from financially disadvantaged families by giving them access to the medical treatment they need and to help them go through a difficult time with dignity.

If you can help, please transfer direct to MCK and advise me so we can track your donation. International transfers will require the swift code below. If it suits we can accept pledges and I will revert back to secure your kind support. If easier we will gladly accept cash donations of any size. Please note that 100% of all funds raised are used to cover medical costs as the MCK volunteers cover all administrative costs.

Your donation can be made direct to: PT. Bank Rabobank International Indonesia* Bank branch: Rasuna Said, Jakarta / Account name: Mary's Cancer Kiddies / Account no.: 9923588822 / Swift code: RABOIDJA

*Please inform me via email if you would like to make a donation or have already made a transfer. Please also feel free to contact me on +628159009582 or contact Julie van Laarhoven from MCK at julie.vanlaarhoven_at_adsindonesia.or.id

MCK was established by Mary Binks in 2003 and is officially registered as a social welfare organization, registration number: 94 / BKKKS / Sket-OBH / 12-08. For more information please visit the website

The Sahara race is a self-supported ultra marathon and for the duration competitors must carry my own food, equipment and clothing; only drinking water will be provided. The distance covered will be approximately 250kms with daily distances of 40kms in the first 4 stages, 90kms in stage 5 and 10kms in the final stage.

The event website and further information can be found at this website.

Thank you for taking the time to read this far, and in advance, many-many thanks for your support,

Scott