In 2001, after picking up his then 11-year-old twin daughters, Kerry and Madeline, from Sunday school, Seth took them to the Popover Café for their regular Sunday brunch and heard about a Gift of Life donor recruitment drive being held nearby. The girls convinced Seth to get tested and eight years later, he got the call that he was a match for a 62-year-old man with leukemia. He explained, “After speaking with the staff at Gift of Life, reading the literature and meeting with the doctors I truly realized the magnitude and responsibility of donating.” 

 

Soon after, Seth donated his cells, giving his recipient, Dave, a second chance at life.  Dave’s story is quite remarkable. After losing his wife of over 40 years on New Year’s Eve, 2008 to pancreatic cancer, he wasn’t feeling well but simply attributed it to the loss and stress he had just been through. His daughter urged him to see a doctor, and he was diagnosed with leukemia soon after. When none of his family members were able to donate, Dave was forced to rely upon a stranger for the transplant that could save his life.  His match, Seth, was found in Gift of Life’s registry.

 

Seth and Dave arranged to meet in New York the day after Thanksgiving a little over one year after the transplant, and spent a wonderful afternoon getting to know one another and their families.

 

Seth’s donation saved more than just one life. His daughter, Kerry, was inspired by how the transplant had impacted both families, and sought to do more. She learned that many of Gift of Life’s donor recruitment drives are held on college campuses, and discovered just how easy it was to hold a drive on her own campus at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA.

 

After her drive, Kerry began receiving notifications from Gift of Life that matches had been found thanks to her efforts. She described the getting the news as, “The best feeling in the world. I was so happy that all the hard work we put into the drive was a success, and that somewhere out there a family was to be whole again.” She added, “It also brings you down to earth. Throughout the planning of the drive I was so focused on logistics, the number of swabs, etc., that I had sort of pushed the aftereffects of the drive out of my head. This was the reason why we were working so hard, and pushing ourselves to create a great drive.”

Of the 128 new donors recruited at her drive, five have already gone on to donate to patients in need of transplants, making her match rate among the top three in Gift of Life history. Kerry said, “It feels great, but it is not just because of me. I had some top-notch volunteers who were the most selfless bunch of people.”

 

Today, Kerry continues working with Gift of Life. Kerry said, “I had a great experience running the drive, and I volunteered at Marrow Match Gala. I look forward to hearing all about what the organization accomplishes in the future.”

 

Seth is thrilled that his donation had such a profound impact on both Dave and Kerry. He said, “I am so delighted that my experience inspired her and that her efforts have truly made a difference.”

 

For information on running a drive on your campus or in your community, please contact Gift of Life's Recruitment Office at 800-9MARROW.