A Meeting of Hope and Gratitude
In a moment that captured the hearts of many, 4-year-old William Jones, a brave little boy from Peoria, Illinois, finally met the woman who saved his life.
Karissa Piccione, a 23-year-old from Florida, donated her bone marrow to William, who was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder.
Their emotional first meeting took place at the Gift of Life Marrow Registry’s annual “One Huge Night” Miami Gala, a night dedicated to celebrating heroes like Karissa and raising funds to fight blood cancer.
William was diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan Anemia at just four months old. This rare condition prevents the body from producing enough red blood cells, and a bone marrow transplant was his only hope for a cure.
His parents were not a match, so they turned to the Gift of Life Marrow Registry in search of a donor. Hope arrived in the form of Karissa, who had joined the registry in 2021 while attending the University of Florida. She was a perfect match for William and didn’t hesitate to give him the gift of life.
“We’re incredibly grateful that there are kind, caring people who are willing to help save a stranger with a life-changing gift,” said William’s mother, Nicole Jones.
Karissa shared her joy in being able to help, saying, “I am so joyous to have been able to assist this family in such a unique way. I want others to know that anyone can do it. It’s not hard to join the registry and open the door to the possibility of being a match for someone in need.”
The Critical Need for Bone Marrow Donors
William’s story is a powerful reminder of the critical need for more people to join the bone marrow donor registry. Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other life-threatening blood disorders. For many of these patients, a bone marrow transplant or blood stem cell transplant is their only hope for a cure.
While some patients can find a matching donor within their family, 70% of patients must rely on an unrelated donor.
This is where organizations like the Gift of Life Marrow Registry play a vital role. They connect patients with volunteer donors from all over the world, giving them a second chance at life.
Bone Marrow Donation Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
| Patients who find a family match | 30% |
| Patients who need an unrelated donor | 70% |
| U.S. adult donors in the registry | > 9.4 million |
| Chance of finding a match | 29% – 79% (varies by ethnicity) |
| Hispanic or Latino donors in the registry | 13% |
These statistics highlight the importance of a diverse donor registry. A patient’s best chance of finding a match is with someone of the same ethnic background. Therefore, it is crucial to have a registry that reflects the diversity of the population.
How You Can Become a Lifesaver
Joining the bone marrow donor registry is a simple process that can have a profound impact on someone’s life. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 and in good health, you can register to become a potential donor. The process starts with a simple cheek swab, which can be done at a donor drive or with a kit mailed to your home.
If you are found to be a match for a patient, you will be contacted by the registry. The most common method of donation is peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is a non-surgical procedure similar to donating platelets. It is a safe and relatively painless process that can save a life.
By joining the bone marrow donor registry, you can become a beacon of hope for patients like William. You have the power to give someone the ultimate gift: the gift of life.
About Gift of Life Marrow Registry
The Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives by facilitating bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases. Founded in 1991, Gift of Life has facilitated over 5,000 transplants and has a registry of over 470,000 potential donors.
More info: https://www.giftoflife.org/
