When Damian swabbed his cheeks and joined Gift of Life’s bone marrow registry six years ago, he never imagined he would one day be called to save a life. He registered in college during the AEPi donor drive at York University in 2005 after a friend approached him and asked if he’d be willing to become a donor. He was called multiple times as a potential donor over the next five years, but no further progress was made. On July 12, 2010, while in Istanbul, Turkey on vacation, he received the news that he was a perfect match for Jaime, who had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Damian was ecstatic when he received the news and knew immediately that he would go through with the donation. The mix of emotions he felt was unlike anything he had experienced before. Thankful for the opportunity to help someone in need, Damian began the workup process: an information session, complete physical exam, chest x-ray, EKG, and other additional tests that are required before being cleared for donation. Gift of Life was there every step of the way, helping to answer the questions he had and making the necessary travel arrangements to get him to Boston, where the donation took place.
Damian went through a traditional bone marrow harvest on August 26, 2010, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The procedure itself was uneventful, and though he woke up with some pain, he felt that any discomfort was worth it if he was saving a life. Within a few weeks, most of the pain subsided and he was back to his regular schedule. His family and friends were incredibly supportive of his donation, and he said that he couldn’t have had a more wonderful group of people to help him during through the process.
Even though the identity of his recipient remained anonymous during the first year following the donation, Damian received updates on Jaime’s progress and thought about her constantly. Every time he received updates, which were all optimistic, it made his day better. A few weeks after the one year mark, he filled out the paperwork to get in contact with his recipient. When he received her name, he found her blog on Caring Bridge and read her one year post-transplant update, which expressed a desire to meet and speak with her donor. He called right away.
Their first conversation was filled with many emotions, among them joy and relief. Though Jaime was too overwhelmed to speak during the first conversation, their second talk was filled with telling each other about their lives. Damian and Jaime have made plans to meet in Miami next month and he could not be more excited to get to know her and her family.
Damian says, "The opportunity to make a difference by simply taking a few hours out of your time, and in return, receiving the amount of love and support that I did over the last few months has just been overwhelmingly joyous. This entire journey has changed my life in ways I never expected. It has taught me to place a greater value on life’s sweet little moments, on experiences, and to love those around me every single day."
Though he does not consider himself a hero, he is. Damian’s willingness to help a complete stranger in need is a true testament to his character. We are incredibly thankful to Damian, and all our donors, whose selfless acts of kindness give patients and their families hope and strength to continue fighting.