Boca Raton, Fla. resident Brandi was thrilled the day she was invited by Gift of Life to donate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for the purpose of medical research. She joined the registry on January 14, 2018, at the Steps for Life 5k Run and Walk, held by Gift of Life every January in South Florida. With a simple cheek swab and by completing a short questionnaire, Brandi became a potential blood stem cell or bone marrow donor.
“I joined the registry because if I can save a life, anything is worth it,” said Brandi. “Several friends have had blood cancer in their families, and someone close to my business partner was recently diagnosed with lymphoma.”
Some of the most exciting medical research going on today is in cellular therapies, with many organizations developing advanced treatments for cancer and other diseases. This research often begins with a cell donor whose specific tissue type is needed for the development of a particular medication. Mononuclear cells are often requested for this purpose as they represent a variety of cell types.
When she learned she would be able to donate, Brandi told her friend Richard, a blood donor.
“He encouraged me,” she said. “He told me that it would be worth my time to do it.”
Since Brandi lives in the same town where Gift of Life is headquartered, she did not have to travel far for her medical examination
On her collection day, she arrived at the beautiful Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Gift of Life-Be The Match Collection Center, and after meeting the staff, was prepared for donation. The apheresis process takes blood from one arm, circulates it through the apheresis machine where the MNC are separated out, and the remaining blood is returned to the donor’s other arm. The returning blood is warmed up, to ensure the donor is always comfortable.
“The interior design of the collection center is very modern and beautiful and I was very comfortable in my donation chair,” said Brandi. “It is very clean and organized, and the staff are very personable and friendly. Also, the lunch was amazing.”
During her donation, Brandi, who is a Certified Financial Planner, kept busy with work.
“I worked from my phone answering emails and phone calls,” said Brandi. “Time flew by! My recovery went well, too.”
When asked about donating for medical research, Brandi can only think of those whose lives may be saved.
“I am very grateful that I donated, I feel blessed to be a part of saving others’ lives” she said. “Think about the lives you have the potential to save. Any time and effort needed seems meaningless when someone’s life is at stake.”
Brandi, 28, is a Certified Financial Planner in Boca Raton, Fla, and is married. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University and is a member of Delta Sigma Pi sorority. In her free time, she loves to exercise, cook, and do volunteer work.