In 2019, I matched with a woman on the Gift of Life Marrow registry and donated my stem cells to her in June of 2020 - 9 years after I swabbed my mouth my freshman year of college. I don't know much about this woman other than she has Myelodysplastic Disorder. The hope is that after the transfusion my stem cells will replace her own stem cells that were destroyed through chemo treatment. This was my first time donating stem cells, but I was familiar with the process prior because my mom is a stem cell transplant recipient, as well, and the donor was my sister, Amanda. Her stem cell transplant in 2010 helped to treat her Leukemia. Pretty neat that my sister and I have both been stem cell donors! 

My mom was lucky to have a family match, but not everyone is in the same situation, which is why I am asking you to join the Gift of Life Marrow Registry. And I am also asking that you share this with your family, friends, colleagues and anyone else so that we can grow the list of donors and potential matches for those in need of a stem cell transplant. 

If you have any questions at all about donating please reach out to me. 

Thank you!

Sara