“My new birthday is October 25, 2011,” proclaimed Debi Jackman.  The date, she explained, is when she received a bone marrow transplant from a complete stranger.  It is the date she received the gift of life.   

Approximately one year ago, Debi was diagnosed Severe Aplastic Anemia, a disease which occurs when bone marrow does not make enough new blood cells. She was constantly fatigued, caused by low red blood cells. Low platelets led her to develop bruises, and low white blood cells put her in high risk of infection. As Debi told her story of survival to her Congregation one evening, she spoke about how her health deteriorated, and how she became dependent on blood transfusions.   “At first I got transfusions monthly, but as my conditioned worsened, they became more frequent. And eventually, I was getting them weekly.”  Debi spoke about her fears during those times, what would happen if she needed a transfusion on a day the infusion center was closed?  She spoke of the questions she often asked herself, wondering why this happened to her. Ultimately, her doctors told her that her only chance of survival would be from a blood stem cell transplant. 

Debi described having to rely on a complete stranger to save her life as very humbling.  She explained, “it is a great equalizer, it’s changed my outlook on just about everything. It forced me to think about what was really important to me: family, friends, and faith.” Debi compared finding a donor to “finding a needle in a haystack.”

“I’m very lucky,” stated Debi, “because they found a perfect match. A ten out of ten. An anonymous, awesome, brave, courageous hero agreed to be my donor.” Her gratitude to her “unknown one in a million” transpired with every word she said that night.

Debi explained the process of becoming a donor and urged those in the audience to learn more about Gift of Life and joining the registry.  Congregants listened, crowding the Gift of Life table to join the registry and make contributions to help offset the cost of testing new donors.  Debi concluded the evening by stating, “tonight, you can be the hero.”  Perhaps that was what her husband was hoping for as he watched members of his Congregation swab.  Another wife, mother, sister, daughter, given a second chance, by such a simple and powerful act.
 
To help save a life like Debi’s in your area, please email info@giftoflife.org.