This was originally written a few years ago, but I thought I would share it again.  It's a good reminder of the small things we can do to make a difference in someone's life.

It all started when my friend Adrian became very ill. Leukemia had destroyed his bone marrow and he was in need of a transplant. His family requested that we get tested to see if we matched because there was a shortage of Hispanic donors on the national registry. Because Adrian was Hispanic, he had a more limited chance of finding a donor that would match. So my sister and I decided we would have our blood tested. We wanted to know that we could save the life of a friend we would always remember as a sweet boy with a lot of promise. He was studying to become a doctor when the terrible disease collided with his dreams. I don't know a lot of the details of his early illness, but I know that he struggled with it for some time before the request was made of us.

I began my search to find all the information I could gather on becoming a bone marrow donor.  I would not walk into my local Red Cross Center without understanding what I was getting involved in.  I asked many questions while I was there too.  The most important thing I learned is that one cannot offer to donate marrow to a single person only; they must be willing to join the national registry.  This means that if I did not match my friend, one day I could be asked to donate to a perfect stranger.  I was uneasy about this at first, but my primary thought was my friend and this was the only way I could know if we matched.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized it did not matter who the recipient was; this was a gift of life and if I could give that gift to anyone, why shouldn't I?  A vial of blood was drawn.  I pushed aside my fear of needles and the staff did their best to comfort me.

Blood is tested to match six antigens.  Antigens are proteins found on cells that give each cell its identity. The more Antigens that match, the less there is a chance of rejection.  The best scenario is a 6 Antigen match and that is the goal when a patient searches the National Registry.  Even a 6 Antigen match does not guarantee that the cells will not be rejected.  The odds of an unrelated "perfect match" are one in 20,000.  For minority groups these odds are much higher.  Testing was done specifically to see if Adrian and I were compatible, but sadly, we did not match.  Adrian found another donor and proceeded with his transplant. However, it was not long before he became very ill and his liver started to fail.

It was at this time that I received a phone call that gave me hope and changed the way I viewed my own life. The phone call came from the Manchester Red Cross.  They were calling to tell me that I was a potential match for a 34-year-old woman with Chronic Mylogenous Leukemia. The Registry does not make any other information available to the donor until long after the transplant has taken place. I was stunned at first. Considering that my friend, who was the reason I had joined in the first place, was extremely ill at the time, it took a minute to register what was taking place.  I was asked to come in for further blood tests if I still wanted to donate.  Without hesitation, I said I would.  These tests consisted of drawing ten vials of blood!!  Again, I was uneasy but knew this was something I wanted to do.  The blood would be mixed with the patient's blood to determine compatibility.  If the blood reacted to my blood, I would not be considered as a match.  It would be a matter of weeks before I would know if I would be chosen.

Meanwhile, Adrian's condition deteriorated. He sent his parents, who had been by his bedside nonstop, back to their hotel to take a nap; then he quietly took his last breath.  The funeral was heart-wrenching and difficult. I suddenly felt such a strong connection to this young man and I did not want to believe that he was not there to share the news.  I wanted him to know that because of him, another life might be saved.  And yet, I felt that he already did know.  It was clear to me that this was no coincidence; this was the circle of life, making its presence known.  I felt a surprising peace in these thoughts.  And I knew Adrian would be proud.

After several weeks passed, I received a letter from the Bone Marrow Registry. I was a match; however, the patient was not yet ready to proceed with her transplant.  Basically, I was put "on hold" until her condition required a transplant.  Several months passed and I heard nothing.  I was anxious and excited about the opportunity I had been given.  But it was not to be.  The Bone Marrow Registry does not release details about the patients that need the transplant.  So, I never found out what became of my “match”.  A few years later, I was called again.  I matched a gentleman this time.  But, after the initial letter and second blood draw, I was not considered a strong enough match.  So, I have yet to actually donate my bone marrow.  However, because of Adrian, over 100 people joined the Bone Marrow Registry.  Any one of those people could be called upon to donate one day.  And any one of them could save a life.  So, although Adrian never had the chance to become a doctor, his life made it possible for others to live.  This was Adrian’s Gift.

For information on the Bone Marrow Registry, visit http://www.marrow.org/index.html or contact your local Red Cross Chapter.  The Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross can be reached at 1-603-624-4307.