Matching up with a good cause

Cancer and blood disorders. Two diagnoses that can change anyone’s perspective about their upcoming day, month, year and the rest of their life. One isn’t ordinarily conscious of their healthy bone marrow or blood stem cells; we take these bodily components for granted, but they’re life-saving tools for someone with cancer or a blood disorder.

Joslyn White, a patient care technician at Firelands Health who is simultaneously pursuing a career as a registered nurse, found a particular interest in helping those with cancer or blood disorders. She decided to fulfill a longing and become a bone marrow donor.

After doing some research, Joslyn discovered the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), formerly known as Be the Match. As described on its website, NMDP is “a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, helping save the lives of patients with blood cancers and disorders.” As a student and civic-minded community member hoping to give back, Joslyn said, “I did it because I thought it was very interesting. The thought of saving someone's life in an easy way like this was a no-brainer to me.”

A stem cell donation can provide treatment for about 75 different cancer and blood disorder types, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, sickle cell disease and Hodgkin lymphoma.

The first step when getting set up with the marrow donor program includes a cheek swab and some lab testing. Once the diagnostic information is collected, it goes on the registry. It can take years to be matched and rarely are there multiple matches in a lifetime. Joslyn was matched in the first year she was listed on the registry; however, it didn’t work out. Fortunately, she was given another chance this year to donate to a patient receiving care in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. “When talking to the specialists at Be the Match, they all told me it is extremely rare to get matched twice, and that made me feel so good,” Joslyn said.

Once matched, the process took about four months, including various blood tests, physicals and self-injections to stimulate her white blood cells. “Filgrastim is an injection that stimulates white blood cell production in your bone marrow to prepare the body for bone marrow or stem cell transplants,” Joslyn said. Her travel expenses to Georgetown were covered and the team at NMDP helped her every step of the way.

Joslyn can’t help but feel gratitude for this opportunity. “One moment that struck me was a couple hours after donation,” she said. “I got a text that my cells were already at the hospital and that the recipient was set to receive them. I was so happy and excited for the patient.” She also expressed that she had a support network along the way. “My family and friends were a huge support.” When asked if she would donate again, she said, “1,000 percent, yes. Without hesitation.”