Received Stem Cells

In the summer of 2000 I was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia that could only be cured with a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. My family was not a match. Through the summer I had to hope that a complete stranger would be found on a bone marrow data base who would be a match.

I was fortunate that someone was found and did agree to donate her stem cells. To accomplish she had to fly to the medical center twice to complete the procedure. I later learned she hated to fly.

To this day I am still amazed that a complete stranger who lived in a different country (Germany) would agree to donate to someone she had never met and never expected to meet. I believe this person exhibits the core traits you are looking for in your stories. She believed her donation was nothing more than a "small gift."

If there is a heaven she surely has a place of honor waiting for her.

Submitted by Anonymous

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