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Donor and Recipient Meet |
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Donating Stem Cells |
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"How can I thank you for saving my life?"
Anat from Herzlia, the mother of three daughters, had been strong and healthy her entire life. When struck with cancer three years ago, her natural optimism and positive outlook on life convinced her that she would beat the disease.
After an autologus stem cell transplant - where stem cells are collected from a patient and given back to that same patient - failed, Anat became extremely sick. Her doctors told her that her only chance of survival was a stem cell transplant. She had no possible donors among her immediate family, since she had lost her only sibling to cancer when he was just 26.
Anat's medical team turned to Ezer Mizion's Bone Marrow Registry in the hope of finding a genetically-compatible donor for a stem cell transplant, which the doctors hoped would save her life. Yeshaya, a Rabbinic student from Haifa and father of two young daughters, was found to be a match. When Yeshaya joined the Registry his initial blood testing was made possible through the generosity of the Mexican Dinner Community Pool.
The lifesaving stem cell transplant was successfully performed and sixteen months later, Anat, now 61 and fully recovered, and Yeshaya, 25, met for the first time at Ezer Mizion's Oranit Guest Home for Children with Cancer, which houses the Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
"What can I say to you that will express my feelings for what you have done? Is there any way I can possibly thank you for saving my life?," Anat emotionally said to Yeshaya. It was instant chemistry between the two, who exchanged phone numbers and resolved to stay in touch.
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