“A second chance at life”: How a stem cell donor gave Sam a future - Recipient stories, Understanding Donations

In 2021 Sam began to feel unwell. As someone who had experienced anxiety on and off for years, he initially attributed his racing heart and tension to stress. It wasn’t until a small cut on his shin became badly infected that he sought medical attention, a decision that would change his life. Blood tests taken in preparation for emergency surgery revealed something far more serious than a simple infection: Sam had a blood disorder, initially diagnosed as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which was later identified to be acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Facing a life-changing diagnosis

“The news was shocking, scary, and made me feel defeated,” Sam recalls. “I thought I’d done enough already. I was confident I could fight this, but ultimately, I was scared about not seeing the future with my family.”

Sam’s treatment was intense. He spent nearly seven months in hospital during 2022, navigating his way through induction and consolidation chemotherapy. At the time, COVID-19 restrictions meant no visits from his wife or friends, making the isolation even more challenging. After achieving molecular remission, Sam returned to work for 11 months, only to relapse, leading to a clinical trial and further bridging chemotherapy before heading into a stem cell transplant in 2023.

The gift of a perfect match

When Sam learned he needed a stem cell transplant, he admits it was daunting. “A lot of the information you get about transplant is focused on potential negative outcomes. I was worried about supporting my family and what life would look like afterward.”

Fortunately, the search for a donor through the stem cell donor registry was successful. “I was told I had two perfect matches! I was over the moon,” Sam says.

“The respect I have for my donor can’t even be put into words. For someone to selflessly donate their stem cells to save the life of a person they’ve never met is so amazing.”

Life after transplant

The transplant procedure itself involved a five-day workup schedule. Recovery was challenging, particularly the distance from home and being away from his three young boys.

“Not being able to see my boys face to face was one of the hardest parts,” Sam reflects. “But the experience has completely changed how I live day-to-day. The respect you have to ‘do’ life again is the biggest gift you can be given. It puts a lot of things into perspective and makes you reflect on what you’ve done in life, but also what you can do in the future.”

A message for potential donors

Sam’s experience has left him with a strong message for anyone considering joining the registry.

“If you’ve ever had the feeling of wanting to do something to help someone in need, this is the best way to do it. You have the opportunity to save someone’s life. Without my donor, I may not have survived leukaemia, and my three boys may have lost their father.”