As you may recall in our December 9th blog we shared the story of one of our amazing donors, Damian, and his recipient Jaime. On January 2, 2012, a new meaning of life was given to not one, but two very special people. We are very excited to share the meeting of these two people.

25-year-old Damian, a native of Toronto, Canada, who is going to college in Aruba, flew to Florida to meet the woman he saved so selflessly. Damian’s decision to join the registry and his willingness to help any patient in need was the reason his bone marrow donation to Jaime was able to happen. Damian had to wait a year to meet his recipient based on the guidelines established by the National Marrow Donor Program.

In April 2010, 48-year-old Jaime was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, and after months of treatment, doctors told her she would need a bone marrow transplant to survive. Jaime worked through her career as a professional tennis player who once reached the round of 16 in mixed doubles at Wimbledon. She has been referred to as “probably the best athlete Macon, Georgia has ever produced.”

Her siblings were tested to see if they could be a match for her; unfortunately, the results came back that they weren’t and Jaime would have to depend on a complete stranger for survival.

FACT: About 3 out of 4 patients who need a bone marrow transplant will depend on a complete stranger to save their lives.

Her donor, Damian, said he was thrilled to fly in from where he is studying medicine. He tells Gift of Life “I am going to be a doctor and I already saved my first life,” he said with a smile on his face. Even though the two had been communicating via email, Jaime said, “I’m so happy to have the chance to finally thank Damian in person.”

This life-changing reunion was held at Jaime’s mother’s home in South Florida. The location was only about an hour drive from the Gift of Life Headquarters, so we had the opportunity to witness firsthand this life-changing event between donor and recipient, with their families. Jaime’s older sister could not hold back her thankfulness towards Damian, simply stating with tears, “Thank you for saving my baby sister’s life.”

The meeting is a major highlight for bone marrow and stem cell donors and recipients, family members, friends and supporters.

To learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor or to join the registry, go to https://www.giftoflife.org/register. A quick swab of the cheek is all it takes to potentially save a life.