Meet Sarah...Bone Marrow Donor...She Saved Someone's Life!

Will You Please Consider Becoming a Donor?

Sarah's Courageous, Life Saving Story is below........

As relayed in a speech to fellow students at Presbyterian College

As I reflect on the incredible opportunity that I, Sarah Bryant, was given to be able to donate bone marrow anonymously through the Red Cross’s National Marrow Donor Program on August 24th, 2004, I have realized that there are a few thoughts I would like to share with you all.

Last summer, I got a phone call from the National Marrow Donor Registry, saying that I came up as a match for a 56 year-old woman in Minnesota, and would I be willing to donate my marrow. Obviously I said yes. The next few weeks were filled with appointments with doctors, meetings with Red Cross personnel, and arranging to have blood taken for various tests, along with preparing for my last move back to college. Once it was determined that I was a perfect match for my recipient, swift plans were made for the collection of my marrow stem cells, as my senior year of college would begin in less than a month.

The day before the collection, Jessica Parker and I got to spend some time talking about what was going to happen the next day at 8 AM over a couple of cups of coffee. We talked about how this was such a great opportunity to be given, and what could happen if the transplant was successful. Being the biology folks that we are, we also talked about the scientific aspect of what a marrow transplant consists of, and that it was good that I understood exactly what was happening to my recipient, and how crucial my cells were to her livelihood.

The next day around 5 or 6 (I don’t really remember. All I know is that it was still dark outside and that I could not have any caffeine) I got up and stumbled to the bathroom to prepare myself for the day. I was greeted by Jessica’s smiling face, and her video camera, ready to document the entire affair.

Once at the hospital, I was prepared for the marrow collection with a lovely gown and an IV. Jessica and I were met by my parents, my Nani (a cancer survivor herself), and David Lindsay. It meant so very much to me to know that these people that loved me were there to support me, take a few pictures, and even tell a few embarrassing stories about me while I was in surgery. No, the surgery didn’t hurt, like people think- you’re under anesthesia, and it’s better than taking a nap (except that it takes a little longer to fully wake up).

In the days that followed, I had my family to take care of me, along with the Percocet. The only real pain that I experienced was a stiff feeling in my lower back, kind of like it needed to be popped. But I kept things moving by doing laps around the living room with Nani’s old walker. After a week of recooperation, I came to PC (Presbyterian College) to begin class, and the school year progressed like nothing had happened. I studied, did fun things with friends, and survived the Biology Department’s Senior Seminar.

In preparing for graduating from PC, I have found that my life now is as crazy as ever. I have projects, lab experiments, tests, reports, etc. all due within the next few weeks, along with being concerned about graduate school and potential jobs. I often find myself wishing the school year would just end! But, then I remember that the stress in my life is absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. I will graduate from PC this May and go on to pursue my dreams, however that may happen.

When I think about my donating marrow to someone, I remind myself that God already has everything figured out for me. The complications and everyday events of my life are null when compared to someone battling cancer and fighting for his or her life. If God didn’t have a reason for my being able to save someone’s life, then what’s the point of my worrying about a grade in a class? My worries are trivial when compared to my recipient’s. A midterm exam cannot even begin to compare to chemotherapy.

It’s taken me awhile to figure this stuff out, but it finally all hit me when it dawned on me that graduation is one month away. Yes, I have loads of work to do, things to finish up, a job to find, and friends to spend time with. However, I find myself thanking God that I was able to donate a minute amount of my marrow, as it has given me the opportunity to ‘take a step back’ from my life, and see what miracles and blessings God has given me. I have so much to be thankful for, and it’s because God allowed me to be a marrow donor that I finally appreciate everything around me. I have come to fully understand life and all it can offer.

I think that because everything related to my marrow collection happened so fast, I didn’t really have sufficient time to think about what happened in the few months that completely transformed my life. I was thrown back into a hectic school schedule without the opportunity to fully let the past events soak in and become a solid base for my renewed belief in God.

I was told numerous times that when one donates marrow, his or her outlook on life often changes for the better, and I wholeheartedly agree. I now can see the wonderful miracles and happenings of God in everything and everybody around me. From one simple operation that saved someone’s life through the technology of modern medicine, I have a newfound understanding and outlook on life, for which I am forever grateful.      Sarah Bryant