Normally, I am a very private person when it comes to my personal life. However, something that happened five years ago will soon become known to millions of people across the United States… I saved a life.
On Tuesday, I was flown to Illinois so I could meet a very special woman, Joey Stott. Wife and mother, five years ago Joey had been diagnosed with Leukemia. In the end, her only option was to find an anonymous marrow donor, who eventually was myself. The process of extracting the marrow was straightforward, and the marrow transfusion worked… so far. She has continued to struggle to stay alive, since a marrow transfusion is never a sure thing. However, other than having a new blood type and all my allergy problems (sorry, Joey), she seems to have resumed her life… until recently. She had a setback with an electrical house fire, and was in very dire circumstances for many months. But all that is changing.
I received a phone call from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition asking if I would join them in providing Joey Stott and her family with a better future by rebuilding her home. Without any hesitation, I volunteered to be a part of the show. We are only three days into construction, and I have to state I am overwhelmingly amazed as to the progress on the house and the community outpouring of support for the Stott family. Yes… I am on camera… yes, I have met the designers and Ty. However, that isn’t why I joined up in this endeavor. Joey and her family have gone through some very difficult times, and although their situation is special, it is not unique. I am hoping that when this episode airs on television, more people will be aware of the National Marrow Donor Program, and how easy it is to save a life and keep a family together.
I understand that my donation has had a huge impact on Joey and her family. However, I feel that I am a small cog in a much larger machine; without the doctors and nurses involved, and without the selflessness of the donors, thousands more would die every year. Unfortunately, there are still thousands who die every year because they cannot find a genetic match.
I will be participating in the National Marrow Donor Program “Be the Match” drive here in Lena, Illinois today, in hope that word spreads locally. I am participating in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in hope that word spreads nationally. Let’s hope that another life will be saved as a result.
- Tom Wilhelm
7 responses so far ↓
1 Maria-Michigan // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:54 am
I recently have been selected to go onto the 2nd stage of screening for a 37 year old female that has (AML) Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. I truly have not ever felt so ecstatic as when I received the phone call from Match Donor. I just pray that I am a match and am able to save this womans life.
The decision to join was easy for me. A year ago my husband left me and my 2 girls with alot of debt and sorrow. I have struggled emotionally and financially but did not have to go through it alone. I cannot begin to tell you how many people came forward to help me whether it was just a phone call or to find 2 garbage bags full of toys in the back seat of my car so my girls could have a Christmas. God Bless them all even tho I may never know who did these kind acts. So for months I began trying to think of ways that I could “pay back” the good deeds that were done for my girls and myself and when my co-worker approached me about the Match Donor, I knew I wanted to do this. Someone out there may just want their mother, father or child for Christmas. What a better gift to give then the gift of life. So what, it may hurt a little, life is full of hurts without rewards but this one will carry a big reward. God Bless you Tom for helping this mother, wife, daughter and friend to many and God Bless all of the others out there doing the same.
2 Erlene // Nov 12, 2009 at 10:29 am
Thank you for being a donor and sharing your story and especially for your commitment to the project by helping others become part of the “Be The Match” registry.
3 bbrackmann // Nov 12, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Tom,
Twas nice to read your story of helping Joey! I, too, have signed up for the “Be The Match” bone marrow registry after circumstances hit close enough to home with a friend and a friend of a friend within the last year. It just seems like such a simple little thing to do and I hope one day to be able to help someone in this way. I feel like shouting “Pick me! Pick me! I wanna help!”. Bless you, Tom.
4 Lindsey // Nov 15, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Tom, I just got done watching Extreme Makeover this evening. Wow! What a touching story, watching your story has helped me calm my fears. Two weeks a ago I got a call from the Be A Match Registry saying I’m a potential match for a female infant battling Myelodysplastic. Of course I’m going to do it! I just can’t stop thinking that I can potentially save this little girl’s life and I hope if any of my friends or family ever needed a donor someone would step up as well. God Bless Tom! You are an inspiration to everyone!
5 ibannie3 // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:32 am
Tom
Hero’s are few and far between these days - someone who does what is right simply because it is right.
You did. And you are a hero.
Since my son was diagnosed with leukemia, I have been in contact with a good few people waiting for a donor and also finding their hero…… Your actions have started a ball rolling that will bring in the chance of life to many others, not just Joey. This is awesome.
Thank you Tom.
Annie
Steven’s mom
http://livingwithcml.blogspot.com
6 dawn39 // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:34 am
Tom,
My husband and I wanted to comment on your beautiful story with an amazing outcome and share our story with you.
My husband and I also became bone marrow donors in March of 2005 as our friends 7 year old son had been diagnosed with Leukemia. We wanted to honor him and his family in a way that may someday help others. My husband who is a Vetern, learned on this Veterns Day that he is a definite match for a 49 year old man who is need of a bone marrow transplant. As we are anxiously awaiting all the details and begin the process, your story just renewed our belief that we couldn’t have made a better decision in joining the registry. We hope that someday we will share your happy ending! I hope that stories like these will encourage everyone to join. God Bless you and your family! Dawn
7 SusieQ // Nov 19, 2009 at 10:27 am
Tom-
Thank you for your commitment and bone marrow donation. I recently was diagnosed with Leukemia and am waiting to find a match so I can have a second chance at life with a transplant. My hope is that with the publicity of the show on Sunday it will increase the number of people that are on the registry and increase the number of matches.
I joined the registry about 12 years ago when a friend was in need of a transplant, I wish that I would have been called to be a donor over the years, but never had the opportunity, and so now I am praying that there is a “Tom” out there for me and that I will have a story to share after a successful transplant. I know your story has touched many people, God Bless you for your unselfish giving!
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