13-year old Leukemia Survivor Meets Donor at Mets Game
Aug 20, 2015 by Gift of Life
News
A 13-year old bone marrow recipient met the woman who saved her life on Sunday, August 16, prior to the New York Mets game at CitiField. For the 11th year in a row, Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and the Mets brought together a donor and recipient to be introduced to each other.
Before the team took on the Pittsburgh Pirates, transplant recipient Sydney Frost and her family met the hero who saved her life – Jen Drumheiser. Federal law does not allow donors and recipients to meet until a year after the transplant. Gift of Life's Chairman of the Board Bill Begal was on hand to make the introduction. Joining him were Gift of Life Director of Development Mindy Ginsberg and Donor Services Coordinator Hildy Bell.
Sydney and Jen then made their way to the field for a pre-game presentation and received a standing ovation from the fans watching them on the jumbotron.
Three years ago Sydney was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disorder that causes bone marrow failure. “My ankle was hurting so my mom took me to a doctor,” she said. “When my parents found out that I needed a bone marrow transplant, they were so upset that they were not close enough matches to donate. Thankfully, the search for my donor only took four months!”
Jen, 38, joined the registry after hearing a radio commercial. “I thought, I have the potential to save someone’s everything,” said the South Carolina resident. “We all mean the world to at least one person and I was happy to volunteer. Sydney has brought so much perspective to my life. Complaining about not liking my job or not making enough money or some other minor issue is trivial compared to these very real scenarios. She was/is fighting a battle, and I am proud to be part of her army.”
Sydney’s personal outlook on life has changed as well since her transplant. “I believe I have been given a second chance at life. I feel grateful that Jen gave me a part of her.”
Sydney's description of the day was ‘infinity and beyond.’ She says she considers Jen a lifelong friend. Her father says his greeting to Jen was thank you and welcome to the family!
