Mark was just nine years old when he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. He survived the frightening diagnosis, thanks to a lifesaving transplant and his bone marrow donor, Samuel. The pair met for the first time in 2004 at a special event hosted by the New York Mets at their former home, Shea Stadium. Baseball Hall of Famer and Mets sportscaster, Tom Seaver, had the honor of making the introduction. Minutes before the presentation, he asked Mark who his favorite baseball player was and Mark replied, “Derek Jeter from the New York Yankees!” Seaver laughed and didn’t hold it against Mark, who went on to spend the rest of the day getting to know his donor and having fun.
Recalling their meeting ten years ago, Mark said, “I was very excited and curious about who the ‘famous man’ was. I wanted to know his name, what he looked like. The weeks and days leading up to meeting Samuel were the worst because I was so anxious to find out everything about the man who took his time to save my life. I was so young at the time but I knew what he had done for me and I knew that I could never repay him.”
Samuel remembers the meeting as being overwhelming and emotional. He said, “What can one in my position say when inundated with the gratitude from Mark and his parents? Words are kind of meaningless in such a situation. The important idea is simply being in each other’s presence, world and life.”
In the years since the transplant, Mark has enjoyed living a healthy and happy life. After graduating from North Haven High School, he attended Gateway Community College and will begin studies at Southern Connecticut University this Fall where he plans to major in Business. He enjoys playing baseball, basketball and golf as well as hanging with friends. When asked what he has been able to do thanks to the transplant, Mark replied, “The better question is, what haven’t I been able to do!”
Samuel, who lives in Highland Park, NJ, completed his undergraduate degree in Communication and Jewish Studies at Rutgers College in December 2005. He is currently the Deli Counter Manager at Shop Rite/Kosher Experience in Lawrenceville, NJ and describes himself as “a voracious reader.” When asked what advice he has for others who are considering becoming a donor Samuel replied, “Do it. The ability to be Gd’s agent (or one of several) in bringing health to another human being is like nothing else.”
Over the past ten years, Mark and Samuel have remained in touch, catching up at Gift of Life’s annual gala and reaching out through email and Facebook. The pair was thrilled to reunite again in Chicago, IL on the set of Whitney Reynolds Show, where they talked about what the transplant experience and their friendship means to each of them. The reunion will air nationally on PBS this Fall, but participants in Gift of Life’s inaugural Virtual Gala got a sneak peek of the get together, which was featured as part of the online program.
Samuel said, “As a donor, I feel it is important to see the continuation of life. Wishing Mark a ‘Happy Birthday’ each year serves as authentication that something important and life-changing has occurred.” Mark agreed, adding, “Keeping our relationship means everything to me because without Samuel’s help who knows if I would still be here.”
