Two Gift of Life donors have met their recipients, both of whom are leukemia survivors, after the required year of anonymity had expired. Every introduction of two strangers who are now bonded by a lifesaving stem cell transplant is emotional, not only for them, but also for the people who witness the profound impact of Gift of Life’s work.
The Gift of Life Young Professionals Committee in Boston recently hosted a heartwarming fundraising event at the Yard House Copley. Supporters from the area gathered to witness a truly special moment: the introduction of a local stem cell donor to his recipient.
Thomas Murphy, a 24-year-old Ph.D. candidate at Boston College, donated his stem cells in June 2023 to save the life of Carole Ann Hennessy, a 60-year-old Special Needs teacher from Napierville, Ill., diagnosed with leukemia (photo above left). The joy and excitement were shared by all present as Thomas and Carole Ann met for the first time. Carole Ann was overwhelmed with gratitude, saying, “I am speechless that a 23-year-old man would be so selfless. I am grateful that his parents raised such a conscientious, kind, and thoughtful person.”
Thomas joined the stem cell registry in 2022, inspired by his friend Brendan Cappon, who had also donated stem cells. Brendan had some swab kits left over from a donor drive at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where they were both students, and Thomas sent one in.
“Brendan’s donation story really moved me, and I knew how important being on the registry could be,” Thomas shared. “Donating to Carole Ann has been incredibly meaningful. It feels wonderful to have done something genuinely significant.”
In 2019, Sammy Friedrich and his Wofford College roommate Grant Wollam were so impressed with a presentation by Gift of Life’s recruitment partner, Project Life Movement, that they asked presenter Katie Fowler if they could swab on the spot using her two demonstration swab kits. They did, and now both of them have generously donated stem cells to save the lives of their matching recipients.
Sammy donated stem cells in 2022, and was recently introduced to his recipient, Roberta Ward, at Project Life Movement’s annual Philanthropy Luncheon at the Charlotte, N.C.’s historic Duke Mansion (photo above right, with Project Life Movement advocate former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly). Their emotional hug and obvious joy at finally meeting face-to-face were the highlights of the evening.
Roberta was diagnosed with leukemia two years after some irregularities showed up in her annual blood work. She trusted that a donor would be found but was amazed when they found him in less than a month. Now, having met Sammy, she is full of gratitude for his decision to join the registry.
“It’s still unreal to me that there are people out there who care and join the registry,” said Roberta. “When you learn there are people like Sammy, it makes a huge difference. I have him to thank for giving me more time with my family and grandchildren.”
For Sammy, meeting Roberta confirms that he’s made a great choice of career.
“My decision to swab and donate came from a random athletic club meeting on a Tuesday night,” he said. “I decided to do my postgraduate study on how professional soccer can help develop a community support capacity – and purely by coincidence, the study was done in the same small area of Detroit that Roberta is from. I am extremely fortunate that I was able to help her.”