Being contacted as a potential match for someone I had never met was one of the most emotional experiences of my life.
At the time, I was a brand-new mom, completely overwhelmed by the love I felt for my baby. Like so many new parents, every thought revolved around keeping my child safe. It made me realize something I had never truly considered before: I could not imagine being in a position where the future of my child's life depended on the kindness of a complete stranger. That thought has stayed with me ever since.
The experience was daunting. I don't consider myself particularly brave. I worried about the procedure, possible complications, and whether my stem cells would be enough. What if I went through all of this and the recipient still didn't survive?
But it was also deeply humbling. It brought into focus how fragile life is and how dependent we are on one another in ways we rarely think about. If someone I loved needed a donor, I would hope with every fiber of my being that somewhere, a stranger had chosen to register and was willing to say yes.
That realization is what made the experience so meaningful. The fact that something my body naturally produces every day could be used in this way is something I still find difficult to fully grasp.
I am very thankful to Canadian Blood Services and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto for the care, professionalism, and support they provided throughout the process.
To everyone involved—thank you. The work you do makes a real difference. If you're considering joining the stem cell registry, please do it. A simple cheek swab takes only minutes, but it may one day give someone and their family a chance they otherwise would not have.
