The emotional introduction of a stem cell donor and her recipient was the high point of Gift of Life’s first One Huge Night Gala held in Atlanta on June 25, 2024. This inspirational celebration of our lifesaving mission was held at the Sonesta Gwinnett Place-Atlanta.
The son of gala chair Amin Alibhai, Nizar Alibhai, was given the honor of introducing the donor and recipient during the event. He invited stem cell transplant recipient Marquis Williams to the stage to meet his lifesaving stem cell donor, Catherine “Renee” Smith. Before introducing them, Nizar shared a bit about the events leading up to this meeting.
Marquis, a 34-year-old real estate appraiser and podcaster from Chicago, did not realize anything was amiss until he collapsed at work one day. He quickly learned he was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and a blood stem cell transplant would be his best chance of recovery. His younger brother was extremely disappointed that he was not a close enough match to Marquis to donate, but by the time other family members started testing, his matching donor was found in Gift of Life’s registry.
Renee, a 41-year-old truck driver from Falls Park, Ga., swabbed her cheek in 2017 at an annual drive held during Employee Wellness Day at Gift of Life longtime partner McKesson, her workplace at that time.
“I am the type of person who always wants to help people,” said Renee. “I was looking for things I could do for other people that would really help them, and this seemed like a good opportunity.”
Two years later, Renee got a call from Gift of Life while she was at work – she had matched with a patient, and she had the opportunity to help save his life.
“I was thinking ‘is this for real?’ and yes, they were serious, and the patient at the other end really needed my help,” said Renee. “I said, tell me where I need to go and what I need to do – I was so excited! This person was fighting for his life, and it gave me strength to know that he may be able to live because of something I could do for him.”
The transplant was successful, and when Marquis needed a boost to keep his recovery from cancer on track, Renee donated a second time to give white blood cells that aided in his recovery.
Finally, the moment when they could meet in person arrived. Nizar invited Renee to the stage and after an emotional and heartfelt hug, Marquis shared a few words with the Gift of Life supporters attending the gala.
“You put me in a space where my life could be saved, and connected me with this beautiful soul right here,” he said. “I cannot thank you enough.”
“I’m so happy you’re here,” said Renee. “You’re able to live, get married, have kids, and to live a full life!”
During the gala, Gift of Life Director of Development Robyn Malek recognized Ignacio Edenburg with the Partners for Life award for his vision, leadership, and vital role in furthering Gift of Life’s mission.
Ignacio, a 50-year-old father and business leader from South Florida, has been diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer, and a transplant is his best hope of recovery. He and his family have been working with Gift of Life since September 2023 to hold donor recruitment drives, fundraise and spread awareness of the need for donors to join the registry to give patients a second chance at life.
He urgently needs a matching donor of Jewish, Spanish, or Portuguese ancestry. We invite everyone to be tested as a potential match for him or other patients in need.
To learn more about Ignacio’s story and order a swab kit sent to your home, click here: https://www.giftoflife.org/dc/IgnacioE