Sometimes it takes traveling halfway around the world to learn that you can save someone’s life.  Bryan’s personal story touched me when I learned about his journey as a two-time volunteer bone marrow donor! The loss of his friend and the opportunity to save a stranger’s life, made me realize that it is not always just about doing the right thing, but sometimes about making the experience your own.

 “In 2008, my brother and I lived with a friend named Richard.  He was a great friend and I enjoyed being his roommate for over two years.  The last year Richard lived with me and my brother, we noticed that he had started losing a considerable amount of weight, but we really weren’t too concerned at that time.  Shortly after, Rich moved home with his parents so he could save money for his planned move from Tucson. 

We stayed in touch and one day I received a call from Rich asking if I had a few minutes to chat.  It was obvious that this wasn’t one of our normal phone calls and I quickly became concerned.  He informed me that due his weight loss, his family had sent him to see a doctor.  After a series of tests, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Upon hearing the news, I expressed deep concern for him, but the feedback that he gave me was that of all of the types of cancers that he could have, this was the one with the best survival rate.  I was happy to hear that but was still concerned for my friend.

I spoke with my father who is a physician, and he reassured me that Hodgkins Lymphoma is the most treatable form of cancer.  Over the course of 2008 and 2009, Rich would battle his Hodgkin’s, appearing to make significant progress.

Meanwhile, in December 2009 I was given the opportunity to participate in a Birthright Israel trip,  During the trip, an organization called Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation gave a presentation to our group, informing us of the need for more Jewish people to become registered in the bone marrow registry.  Without a second thought, nearly the entire group participated by swabbing our cheeks and giving our permission to be entered into the registry.  The night I arrived home, from my trip, I received a call from another friend that Rich had taken a turn for the worse.  He likely would not make it through the night. 

I rushed to the hospital and couldn’t believe the condition that Rich was in.  It was obvious that this might be the end and I had trouble dealing with that idea.  My brother and I struggled to keep our composure while saying a few final words to Rich. I told him that I loved him and that I was going to miss him, then left the room and waited.  Later that evening, Rich passed away– this was the first time that I had ever experienced a loss like this. 

Several months later, I was at work when I received a phone call from a Florida phone number.  Not recognizing it, I answered and learned that the caller was from Gift of Life.  It took me a few seconds to remember who they were, but the caller explained that they had identified me as a potential donor match for a 39 year-old-male with HODGKINS LYMPHOMA.  My jaw dropped and I nearly fell out of my chair.  I generally do not consider these types of things to be related, but it was quite strange how all of this seemed to be interconnected.  I asked a few questions and found out that I would need to have a few more tests to confirm that I was indeed a match.  Throughout the next several weeks, I underwent confirmatory typing blood tests and finally received word that I was the best match and would soon be able to save a life!  

It occurred to me that I should reach out to Rich’s parents to give them the news.  When I spoke with his father, it became apparent how much it meant to them that I was going through with the donation.  I told them that while I believe I still would have gone through with this even if Rich hadn’t gotten sick, my participation was in honor of him and I was grateful to be able to do so.  It was an emotional time, so their support meant a lot to me.

My donation took place in October, 2010.  The procedure was smooth and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  Months went by and I received word that the patient for whom I donated my stem cells was doing well.  I was very hopeful that he would make a full recovery.

Then this past March, I checked in with the program to see if it would be alright to complete a traditional blood donation. They indicated that this would be just fine.  However, I received a call the next day asking me not to donate blood as they needed me to complete a follow-up donation for the same recipient.  I went to New York again for a second donation.  I was excited to be able to help again but certainly disappointed the first donation wasn’t as effective as originally anticipated.  Due to medical privacy laws, I do not know any information about the recipient other than his age and disease.  However, I am hopeful and look forward to having the chance to meet my recipient someday.

Looking back, I never thought that I would be a match and have the chance to save someone’s life when I had my cheek swabbed in Israel.  I urge everyone to register and get tested because while the odds may seem low (at least that is what I thought), the opportunity may arise to give someone the gift of life.”

Now that Bryan’s donations are behind him, I asked him about his experience, and Bryan’s response was, “It was unbelievable.  I never went through anything like this, to potentially save someone’s life, but I had the chance to do that.”  My eternal gratitude goes out to every Gift of Life donor, knowing that their selflessness can save the life of another human being!