In 2018, James faced an uncertain future when he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. Thanks to the selfless act of a bone marrow donor from Germany, his life was saved. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the difference donors just like you can make in the lives of those facing critical illnesses. This is his story.
I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in 2018, discovered early because I was a blood donor. My first haematologist said there was no treatment, only monitoring, and I had between one and four years to live. Fortunately, another haematologist recommended a blood stem cell transplant.
Without a matching family donor, a search began on the Australian and international blood stem cell donor registries. After 18 months, I received the life-changing news that a donor had been found, a 24-year-old woman from Germany. That was a huge relief!
My doctor explained that a blood stem cell transplant is a risky procedure, but it was my best chance. I was 66 when I underwent the transplant in January 2020. The blood stem cells were extracted from my donor in a hospital in Frankfurt, Germany, and had to be infused into me within 30 hours.
Recovery was incredibly challenging for both me and my family, and I spent from January to May in the hospital. After discharge, I had fortnightly blood tests to monitor for graft vs. host disease.
For both donors and recipients, having robust medical and family support after a blood stem cell transplant is crucial. This support system helps manage the medical challenges and emotional stresses associated with the transplant, fostering a more successful recovery for everyone involved.
By May 2021, I felt well enough to send a thank-you letter to my donor. Blood stem cell donors remain anonymous, so I only knew her gender, age, and that she was from Germany.
Despite this, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to this kind stranger. I waited until I was well enough to contact her, as I wanted to be sure I would survive. Little did I know at the time, she was anxious to hear if her donation was successful. Her hospital liaison kept her informed, but it’s not the same as hearing from the recipient directly.
She quickly wrote back to me, and her letter was warm and engaging. She stated that she would like to meet me one day.
To maintain my health, I kept a fitness regimen before and after the transplant, doing laps around the hospital ward, and later bike riding and gym sessions. By May 2023, I embarked on a long bike ride across Europe, covering over 3,000 km and seven countries, carrying all my provisions with me, including medication, which took up 25% of my luggage space.
My goal was to visit my donor, Hanna, and thank her personally for her life-saving gift. First, I had to persuade the hospital authorities to give me Hanna’s contact details due to strict anonymity protocols.
It’s not always possible for donors and patients to have the opportunity to meet up in person like Hanna and James were able to do.
Since Hanna also wanted to meet, they allowed us to exchange contact details. We messaged on WhatsApp to arrange our meeting. Unfortunately, two weeks into my ride I contracted a bad case of shingles, which reduced my daily riding distance.
Shingles can be contagious in the first two weeks, so I messaged Hanna to warn her about my condition. She had arranged for me to stay at her parents’ house, and despite my condition, she insisted I visit as planned. As luck would have it, by the time I got there it was over two weeks later.
As a result of my delay Hanna’s parents were away when I arrived but they still insisted that I stay at their home, even though no one else would be there. It was an extraordinary act of trust and kindness. I got there on Friday afternoon and stayed until Monday morning.
Meeting Hanna for the first time was a very special moment, captured in the photo of us at her parents’ house that leads this article. I also met her husband, Chris, and we spent time exploring the countryside and enjoying dinners together. Hanna’s parents returned on Sunday afternoon. They all treated me like a member of the family.
Hanna and I now share a special bond, as I carry her DNA, making us “genetic twins,” as she calls it. We both hope to raise awareness about blood stem cell donor registries, encouraging more people to sign up and experience the joy of saving a life.
I used to be a blood donor, and I like to think that Hanna’s gift to me is a form of karma, albeit on a much grander scale.
Hanna is a very humble person, but I also know that she finds great joy in knowing she saved someone’s life, even more so now that she knows the person she helped. We remain in regular contact, and she and Chris hope to visit Australia one day.
I embarked on another cycling trip to Europe at the beginning of June, so by the time you read this I might just be sitting down with Hanna and her family for another dinner, and sharing the joy that her generous gift has provided.
Donors like you are the reason I’m able to do that.