Patients with leukemia and lymphoma worldwide often struggle to find a compatible bone marrow donor, which can prevent them from receiving life-saving transplants.
Be The Match is one of several organizations dedicated to addressing this issue. This nonprofit enhances patient outcomes by connecting them with potential organ donors.
The Life-Saving Impact of Be the Match
To qualify as a bone marrow donor, individuals must be between 18 and 40 years old and meet the health criteria set by the organization.
Once a suitable match is found for a patient, the donor can proceed with the donation, significantly contributing to the survival of someone battling cancer.
Additionally, they engage in fundraising activities and donate money. In return, they offer extensive support to both the patients and their families.
Bone marrow donation has helped millions of cancer patients, thanks to Be The Match. One example is a three-year-old boy from Indiana who was saved by a young woman from Boston.
Jacob is currently fighting leukemia.
Jacob Parry was only 14 months old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. The disease aggressively spread not only to his blood and bone marrow but also to his skin. Consequently, the medical team at Riley Hospital for Children advised that he undergo a blood stem cell transplant to treat his cancer.
A few years ago, while young Jacob struggled in the hospital, Rachel Buck was finishing her senior year at the University of Haven, preparing for the next chapter of her life.
During her school’s “Get in the Game” recruitment event, which turned out to be pivotal, she signed up for the Be The Match Registry. Having a family member who was also fighting cancer made her decision to join the registry an easy one.
Rachel learned that only about 30% of patients find a match within their family, meaning the remaining 70% must rely on the registry—essentially strangers. “That statistic really resonated with me,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine having a family member in need and being unable to help them. It seemed completely unfathomable.”
Then, Rachel received a call that could potentially save Jacob’s life.
A couple of years later, Rachel received a phone call letting her know she was a match for a one-year-old boy with leukemia. Without hesitation, she agreed to be Jacob’s donor. “It really hit me hard that he was only 14 months old, particularly because I have two nieces who are the same age,” she said. “I couldn’t fathom what his family was going through.”
From that moment on, I was determined to do everything I could to help.”
Rachel bravely underwent her bone marrow transplant just a few days before her birthday. The procedure took only about an hour and a half and was relatively quick. Despite the anxiety surrounding the experience, Rachel was confident she would go through it all again without hesitation.
Finally, Jacob Meets His Donor
It took two years after the operation for Rachel to meet Jacob and his family. They wanted to arrange a meeting with her and Jacob, the recipient of her donation, as the Bravehearts baseball team was hosting weekly events to inspire more people to become donors.
Rachel admitted, “I was extremely anxious.” She worried that Jacob and his family might not like her or that Jacob, who was just three at the time, might try to run away. Although they aren’t the type to seek attention, their strength and resilience deserve recognition after everything they have faced.
Rachel was pleasantly surprised by Jacob’s excitement at finally meeting her. She quickly engaged in conversation with him and his family.
In fact, the following weekend, Rachel’s family and Jacob’s family came together and spent quality time together. Rachel expressed her gratitude, feeling as though she had gained an entire new family through this bond.
Many people are now calling Rachel a “Young Hero.”
Rachel’s brave actions did not go unnoticed; many who witnessed her meeting with Jacob considered her a young hero and found their story deeply inspiring.
One of those individuals was Andy Talley, who later founded the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation. He was present during Rachel’s meeting with Jacob and his family.
“It was truly remarkable to see a lifesaver in action, showing everyone how to contribute to the community.
Donating bone marrow is like giving the gift of life, and Rachel is a hero for making that choice.”
