Salman Namah » Thalassemia Related http://blog.skdev.net Random enough to be declared weird. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:53:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 FM 103 – Sunset Show Recording on Thalassemia Day http://blog.skdev.net/2009/05/12/fm-103-sunset-show-recording-on-thalassemia-day/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/05/12/fm-103-sunset-show-recording-on-thalassemia-day/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 15:41:37 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=698 Listen:
Download audio file (fm103-may8th09.mp3)

Download:
here

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/05/12/fm-103-sunset-show-recording-on-thalassemia-day/feed/ 1 How to reset wordpress admin password http://blog.skdev.net/2009/03/30/reset-wordpress-admin-password/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/03/30/reset-wordpress-admin-password/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:25:26 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=645 I am sure there are many ways to do this, but I am going to tell you the one I use, first let me tell you why I suddenly thought about writing this, if you don’t want to find that out please click here (or scroll down) to go directly to read my own preferred way of resetting wordpress admin password by using a simple PHP script.

I found this PakBlogger.Com post on How To Reset Wordpress Admin Password Via phpMyAdmin. It was shared by Awais Naseer of The Gadgets — one of the very few people who I found interesting enough to stalk using my PC & twitter account. I thought I should post my comments there but then I realized I could use my own blog to post a correction. Why? Oh well for obvious reasons that you all have guessed by now :P

It’s a very good post, but there is one thing that can be changed to make it even more simple (it reduces one complete step AND a tab) okay let me quote that part first:

Now open a new tab in your browser and go to MD5 hash and write a password and encrypt that to MD5 hash.

Step 5: Now copy this encrypted form and in phpMyAdmin check the box beside your username and click on the pencil icon to edit the entry and replace the password with newly generated md5hash password that you copied.

Click on Go to save the changes and you new password is set.

Okay now please check the two images I have posted below (click to magnify):
image

image

If you follow that step you won’t have to go to any other site to encrypt your password.. There is no problem with using 3rd party site for that but why use something when you really don’t have too?

My Preferred Way to Reset WP Admin Password:

Well this was for people who have access to phpMyAdmin, what if you don’t have access to phpMyAdmin? What if your access is limited to just FTP? I had that problem recently when I was trying to setup a blog at DaCoolSite.Com, a site that I created to raise funds for my awareness campaign “Thalassemia Free Pakistan“.

Well here is the solution for them:

Step 1: (Screenshot)
Download this file “Wordpress: Reset Admin Password Script“, Extract & Upload it in your Wordpress directory (it must share the same folder with wp-config.php).

Step 2): (Screenshot)
Open it in your browser (ex: http://yoursite.com/wordpress/reset_pass.php)

Step 3): (Screenshot)
Click on your Username, enter a new password and click submit, your password is updated. You can login with your new password now.

Step 4): (Screenshot)
For security reasons it is advised to either delete OR rename reset_pass.php on your server.

It can’t get simpler than that, no?
-Salman

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/03/30/reset-wordpress-admin-password/feed/ 11 Pakistan to require premarital blood screening http://blog.skdev.net/2009/02/12/pakistan-to-require-premarital-blood-screening/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/02/12/pakistan-to-require-premarital-blood-screening/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:52:48 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=585 * Draft of law suggests Rs 50,000-100,000 fine, 6 month-one year jail for violators
By Afnan Khan

LAHORE: The National Assembly may soon introduce legislation regarding pre-marital blood screening to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, Thalassemia, Hepatitis and other diseases that are transmitted through genetic abnormalities; blood transmission; and sexual relations, sources within the National Assembly said on Tuesday.

They said the government would impose stern punishment to enforce the law, which would be binding on every Pakistani couple. The punishments would range from a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000; six months to a year’s imprisonment; or both. Parliament is also planning on adding a provision to the law to collect the medical history of all Pakistanis deported from foreign countries, especially the Middle East, upon their arrival at airports. The sources said this was necessary as many people are deported from Middle Eastern countries after being found positive for HIV, hepatitis C, etc. Such people rarely inform the government or their families of these conditions to escape stigma and can thus spread the infections, they added.

The parliamentary sources said the law would be implemented through the thousands of basic health units (BHUs) functioning throughout the country. They said the officials working in these BHUs to keep a check on people violating the law.

The Standing Committee for Health in the National Assembly is due to meet today (Wednesday) to discuss the final timetable for placement of the bill before parliament and conduct a final debate on its pros and cons. According to committee Chairman Yasmeen Rehman, they would also discuss the issue of spurious drugs; shortage of life-saving medicine; and the high prices of medicines being sold by multinational companies.

She told Daily Times the committee had already drawn up the outline and major clauses of pre-marital blood screening law. She said passage of this law would ensure the safety of future generations from several deadly diseases.

Source: Daily Times

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/02/12/pakistan-to-require-premarital-blood-screening/feed/ 0 Fatimid Foundation’s Blood Donor Form http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/22/blood-donor-form/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/22/blood-donor-form/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:22:12 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=415 Few days ago when I asked one of my friends why he didn’t come to our blood camp he said because he (and his friends) don’t trust Fatimid.

He told me that Fatimid Foundation arranges a blood camp at their university regularly. He and all his friends used to donate there. But at one occasion one of the colleagues sister was sick and needed blood so they visited Fatimid showed there donation receipts and asked for a bag of blood. But Fatimid Foundation refused and said they can’t give them blood.

Well so long story short they don’t trust Fatimid and they cannot donate blood for Fatimid Foundation.

I was a little busy at that time so I couldn’t respond but I did say that they have to fulfill their patients requirement and they have stopped new patient registrations just because they were not getting enough blood for patients then how will they give blood to others? It’s not a blood camp blood bank after all.

Anyways I found this written on Fatimid Foundation’s Blood Donor form which they require you to fill and SIGN before you donate at any of there camp, even it’s a road-side camp, it says “DONOR’S CONSENT – I want to donate blood voluntarily for the patients of Fatimid Foundation, & will not be entitled to claim any exchange for my donation.”

image

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/22/blood-donor-form/feed/ 3 Thank you Blood Donors :) http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/22/thank-you-blood-donors/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/22/thank-you-blood-donors/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:19:59 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=412 To all friends of F.A.i.T.h (Fight Against Thalassemia) Foundation:

We’d like to thank everyone – donors, volunteers, recruiters – who helped with our blood drive.

Unfortunately, we fell 51 pints short of our goal of 100 pints. However, the 49 pints of blood we did collect will help patients who need them. Although we didn’t reach our goal, we had 50% of first-time donors, and they usually become regular donors. And we’re confident that at the next drive, we’ll not only meet but exceed our drive goal. Please feel free to pass on any comments about the donation process to Salman Mehmood (03323080461).

In the end I am including our donors list here, maybe it will motivate others to donate blood next time :)

  1. Saleem Sheikh
  2. Mutee-Ur-Rehman
  3. Abdul Haseeb
  4. Abdul Hameed Kath
  5. Mrs. Sehrish
  6. Mairaj Bostan
  7. Navara Afridi Malik Meer
  8. Rameez Abbas
  9. Muneeb Khaliq
  10. Yasir Aslam
  11. Noman Rafiq
  12. Waqar Ibrahim
  13. Yaseen Munshi
  14. Khurram A. Hameed
  15. Qasim Qarar
  16. Talha Khan
  17. Mustufa Razzak
  18. Roshan Allah Bux
  19. Faizan Manzoor Ahmed
  20. Umar Farooque
  21. M. Sharique
  22. Saad Saleem
  23. Saad Ahmed
  24. Ali Raza Khan
  25. Waqas Saeed
  26. Fawad Afridi
  27. M. Saleem Mohammad
  28. Mohsin Adhi
  29. Ahmed Rafiq
  30. Umar Khan Sikander
  31. Shoaib Hussain
  32. Abid
  33. A. Basit M. Ilyas
  34. Sohail Ahmed
  35. Salik M. Iqbal
  36. Fahad A. Ghafoor
  37. Marjan Khayal Noor
  38. Faheem A. Qadir
  39. M. Ali M. Shafi
  40. Azhar Afridi
  41. Salma A. Sattar
  42. Muzammil Asghar Ali
  43. Abu Bakar
  44. Muhammad Asif Yahya
  45. Muneer Khan Meera Jan
  46. Sagheer M. Hussain
  47. A. Ghani A. Sattar
  48. Muneer Ahmed
  49. Tariq Baig

I can’t forget to mention few people who really wanted to donate blood but doctors refused them because they had donated blood in last 2-3 months.

  • Farman Ahmed
  • Major Faisal

Again, many thanks for helping to boost the blood supply for Thalassemic Patients.

Sincerely,
Salman Mehmood

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/22/thank-you-blood-donors/feed/ 2 Blood Camp, YPP, or main http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/17/camp-ypp-me/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/17/camp-ypp-me/#comments Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:38:35 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=367 Hello Everyone,

We all wish that new year brings something new in our life, some change, something real nice and good that could make this new year special.. But it happens very rarely.. right?

I guess 2009 is an exception for me.. (2008 was good too.. but 2009 is just great as of yet).. I am sure you guys are wondering what I am talking about..

Well first let me tell you about how our blood camp went.. HORRIBLY WRONG.. why? We had a target of 100+ pints, but we could only get 49 pints.. it’s just not cool you know.. anyways.. now let me tell you what YPP is..

YPP is Youth Parliament of Pakistan, a non-profit, non-political, non-religious program initiated by Abrar-ul-Haq. This organization is inviting Pakistani youth to come forward and work for Pakistan.. in whichever field they are comfortable with.. They want the youth to identify problems and give solutions for them.

They have started a reality based show called “Kaun hoga naujawanon ka Wazeer-e-Azam”, and they are inviting interested groups from all over Pakistan for this show. We (me, Ayesha, and YLap) were invited too.

I didn’t want to be a part of it, but after severe convincing from mom, ayesha and Hina aapi, I agreed. But I requested for “Airplane” tickets, they surrended and agreed to pay half amount (or more?) ofthe tickets after Hina aapi pressurized them :D

On 14th we reached Lahore, and at 12:00 PM we arrived at Ali Auditorium (where recording had to take place). When we arrived they were getting ready for the first session, we were sent to a Focus Group discussion, it was organized with help of British Council, I was really hesitant there.. but it actually helped a lot.

After focus group, we had our recording but we were sent to KFC (thanks to Abrar bhai for that), After that we (me, Ayesha, Qasim, Waqar, Sir Asif, Arsalan, Saad [my cousin]) and there was one more person from Karachi (his name was Musawwir – I think), we all were teamed against each other.. Sir Asif V/S Waqar, Arsalan V/S Qasim, Saad V/S me, and Ayesha V/S Musawwir.

Everyone of us had to give 2 minutes of Speech (about what we see as problems in our country and what are the solutions to them) in front of live audience and judges, Most of us were thinking that Sir Asif will win easily, Qasim has no chance, Ayesha will be victorious against Musawwir and I (and my lack of confidence) will ruin this chance for me so Saad will easily win.. BUT I guess it was time for unexpected things to happen.

At the last moment we were told that we can’t deliver our speech while reading from a paper, so we have to remember our speech.. most probably this affected everyone, including me.. anyways I decided that it’s useless to try to remember the speech instead I will just speak about the things that are important to me, if they are important to me why would I need to prepare right?

Well then program was started, Waqar gave a very tough competition to Sir Asif.. very few points separate them, then Qasim was GREAT, he was simply GREAT, and Arsalan unfortunately received very low score (most probably the lowest score of all). You must be thinking why we had thought that Sir Asif or Arsalan would get more points? well because they are usually more confident and comfortable (in communications/discussions) then Waqar and Qasim.

Anyways after that it was me and Saad, Saad as expected had a very good speech, then I gave my speech and somehow people liked it so much that I got standing ovation for that (thanks to Waqar :) , he was the first one who got up from his seat on stage) everyone was clapping and I was like “uhh.. what did I say, what did I say..”, then Abrar bhai hugged me and said “Thalassemia will be the first thing we will discuss on first Youth Assembly”.. I was ahead in Audience scores but Judges score evened us (me and Saad) quite nicely.

After me, it was Ayesha and Musawwir, unfortunately since me and Ayesha both had to talk on same topic and we were right after one another she got a little emotional (due to my speech) and lost her train of thoughts while talking so she ended it very quickly.. Judges liked it but Musawwir received more points :( [I wish Musawwir was against me :D ]

Now we are waiting for march, when this will go on-air on ATV channel. Viewers will be allowed to vote via SMS for participants who they think deserve a chance to sit in Youth Assembly (that will be organized in Islamabad, I think).

And now about me (or that’s the “main” part from topic).. I feel great, why? because we had to walk on 14th the whole day.. and even though I had to take 8-10 tablets that day I was just fine! I was walking, carrying luggage and everything was fine.. That’s just so good! I FELT GREAT.

Well that’s all for now, talk to you laters :)

-Salman

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/17/camp-ypp-me/feed/ 8 Pakistan may enforce mandatory Thalassemia, Hepatitis, HIV tests before marriage. http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/03/tests-before-marriage/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/03/tests-before-marriage/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:05:53 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=344
express news
tests before marriage
Original source: Express News

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/03/tests-before-marriage/feed/ 2 Thalassemia – A Documentary http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/01/thalassemia-a-documentary/ http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/01/thalassemia-a-documentary/#comments Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:27:30 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=339
ZD YouTube FLV Player

“This is an edited version of a documentary I produced last month for a local non-profit foundation called the Omair-Sana Welfare Foundation. They deal in the treatment of Thallassaemia..”

- Originaly Uploaded by Rabia Garib at:

http://s.current.com/items/88806118/thallassaemia_a_documentary.htm

The description given on that page is obviously wrong, we know thalassemics who have grand childrens.
We have seen many married thalassemics with kids here in Karachi too.

Even in the book which was published 12-13 years ago it says:

How long can a person with thalassemic major live?
People sometimes don’t like to ask this question directly, but thalassemics and their parents must often ask themselves.
It is difficult to give a simple reply, because:
* It is very hard to know the answer for thalassemics who are well at present.
* The disease and its implications are changing almost from day to day, because of advances in treatment.

We have all seen that patients with thalassemia are living longer and longer. Today it is reasonable to think that people with thalassemia major, who have been well treated from the beginning, may well live as long as people without thalassemia. Only time will tell whether this prediction is right, or too optimistic.

On the other hand, if we want to be pessimistic, it is true that thalassemics live with more risks than others, because of the amount of medical treatment they need. all medical treatments include some risk. But even so, well-treated thalassemic patient at the present day can have an excellent life-expectancy.

Source: http://thalassemia.com.pk/kb/chapter2.html

But it is a good video, so anyways Thanks for the great video :]

-Salman

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2009/01/01/thalassemia-a-documentary/feed/ 0 2008 – Overview http://blog.skdev.net/2008/12/25/looking-at-2008/ http://blog.skdev.net/2008/12/25/looking-at-2008/#comments Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:00:04 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=295 2008 is definitely a better year than 2007..

Everything that happened this year, without descriptions and explanations:

  1. Moved to a new location (new home)
  2. My Fight Against Thalassemia (F.A.i.T.h) foundation got awarded on Blood Donors Day
  3. Job!!
  4. Successfully avoided hospitalization :D
  5. Started DaCoolSite
  6. Left IRC for good!
  7. Returned some parts of the debt on my family
  8. Ditched AKUH and returned to Fatimid :p
  9. Started Blogging

I will update this post if I remember some more things.. so yeah.. This was definitely a better year.

-Salman

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2008/12/25/looking-at-2008/feed/ 0 Thalassemia Video http://blog.skdev.net/2008/12/19/thal-vid/ http://blog.skdev.net/2008/12/19/thal-vid/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:35:50 +0000 Salman http://blog.skdev.net/?p=239
ZD YouTube FLV Player

Click here to download [312 MB]

]]> http://blog.skdev.net/2008/12/19/thal-vid/feed/ 7