About 8 months later, I received a voicemail saying that I might be a match for a 19 year old young man with non-lymphoblastic leukemia and that if I was interested in donating still, to call back. I returned the phone call a little weary of what this meant for me but after talking to a Donor Representative who explained the details (in detail) and the processes to me, I decided to go through with the first step: blood testing.

After the blood test (20 minutes of my time) was analyzed (a few weeks later) I received another call from the same woman telling me that I was, in fact, a good match and that if I still chose to, I could go ahead and move onto the next step.

The next step was to get my health checked. I did a chest X-Ray, another blood test (this time to check for any abnormalities) and a heart check which took me from start to finish about 2 hours. I also got to meet my Donor Representative who was to become part of a team of awesome people working to make me feel good while doing good.

The really abnormal bonus I discovered in this process was that any tests to assess my health was free and I was then fully confident that I was in great health, which is something everyone wonders about from time to time. The tests all came back normal and I was clear to proceed once again.

My Donor Representative was very kind and informed me every time we talked and saw each other that if at any time I decided I didn't want to continue with this, that I could walk away with no kind of repercussion. I had made the decision early on, however, to go through with it to the end no matter what because by this time, I was slowly realizing that all humans are family in a way, and we can all share long, beautiful lives if we each decide to work together as a team.

The first day of the injections came around in April 2011 and honestly, I was nervous. I was nervous that these shots would hurt and even more nervous that the side effects of the shots would hurt even worse. Pictured in my mind's eye was a fragile, tired, bed-ridden version of myself which turned out to be completely the opposite. Not only did my injections not hurt, but the side effects I was prepared for, did not happen nearly as severe as I had imagined. The only side effects I had were sore muscles which was easily muted by Excedrin (and for anyone that's been to the gym, you've got it much worse than I did).

For 5 days I had these injections along with a fantastic home nurse to administer them. On the last day, the donation day, I got up early, went to the hospital and met up with my donor team. The staff was sweet, caring and they waited on me hand and foot while I was there. The donation itself was unlike anything I predicted it to be. There was no pain involved and I didn't have to have any kind of intrusive surgery or procedures. The donation took a few hours but, during that time I was lying down with nice warm blankets in my own comfortable P.J's with dvd's on the flat screen and funny, sweet nurses keeping me company. I walked out of the hospital a little stiff but pleased that I was able to save someone's life for just a few hours of my own. The following day I slept in in the nice hotel arranged for me right next to the hospital and upon waking up, felt totally normal again, aside from being a little tired still.

My experience was super simple, easy, comfortable, pressure-free and, as crazy as it might sound, a little fun. I had fun in the hospital bed with my movies and nurses, doctors and staff and I had fun that night after all was said and done relaxing in my nice hotel bed. In fact, I would venture to say that if I could donate to someone once a year, I would do it in the blink of an eye.

BAHBAD has helped save so many lives just by encouraging college students like myself to be heros. The marrow registry is a fantastic, reliable resource to those in need of a marrow transplant and cannot continue without the registrants such as myself. I went in for a free shirt, and came out with so much more. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever, that donating marrow is worth it. I'd strongly encourage anyone from anywhere to sign up and make a difference. After all, if you were in need of a transplant, wouldn't you do anything to be able to find that 1 match? Just think, that 1 match for a child, a mother, a sister, a friend... could be you.

Danielle, PBSC Donor May 2011

The Be A Hero Become A Donor (BAHBAD) Foundation's mission is to educate, empower and provide opportunities for individuals to share their vital resources and give life. Our number one priority is 

to recruit quality bone marrow donors to the national registry, as well as encourage blood and cord blood donation, and the commitment to organ and tissue donation though Donate Life America.

The DKMS mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients and others in need of lifesaving transplants. DKMS is the world's largest bone marrow donor center.

Beginning June 18^th, 2011, The Be A Hero Become A Donor Foundation will become a West Coast Ambassador for DKMS by partnering to recruit new bone marrow donors. 

OUR STORIES COLLIDE:

Like the Cousineau family's journey with Evan, DKMS America's COO, Katharina Harf's life changed forever when her mother, Mechtild, was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Sadly, Mechtild lost her battle when Katharina was only 14. Read more

From tragedy to triumph...Recognizing the importance of finding suitable bone marrow donors for every patient in need, Katharina's father, Peter Harf, founded DKMS Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei gGmbH (meaning German Bone Marrow Donor Center in English) in Germany in 1991. Today, Katharina continues her father's lifesaving work in the U.S. Her personal goal in life is to help other leukemia patients so that no family has to endure the pain that her family suffered.

OUR TEAMS COME TOGETHER:

BAHBAD will help to organize, staff, and train volunteers at donor recruitment events and DKMS will facilitate the tissue typing, donor registration and will make the typing data searchable on the national and worldwide registrues. This partnership will allow BAHBAD to concentrate its efforts on recruitment instead of fundraising, although fundraising for both non-profits will continue to be critical to our causes.