Inspirational Donor and Patient Stories
Join Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program and CBS4 for a special marrow and fundraising drive to give hope to patients suffering from blood-related diseases like leukemia and lymphoma. Lives depend on us and we depend on you.
Bonnie Hall
Bonnie was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993 when she was just 16 years old. In 1995, she received a successful marrow transplant from an unrelated donor listed on the Be The Match Registry®. A total stranger gave Bonnie the second chance at survival that she so richly deserved. Today, Bonnie is in good health and pursuing a master’s degree.
“I simply would not be here to watch my nephews grow, to drink in the sunrise or to enjoy an evening with family and friends without blood and marrow donors. Thank you.”
David Collinson
David was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1990 that required treatment and several blood transfusions. The cancer reoccurred a year and a half later and his treatment involved the need for more blood. In 2003, David was diagnosed with leukemia and required a bone marrow transplant and additional blood transfusions. Today, David is in remission and continues to exhibit a positive outlook on life.
“I live every day in appreciation of the life-saving gifts that I received from total strangers.”
Monica Kosanovich
Monica knows first-hand the impact perfect strangers can make. Monica received seven units of blood due to complications immediately after giving birth to twin girls in November 2007. Before ever needing it herself, Monica began donating blood as a college student. In 2005, she joined the Be The Match Registry® in honor of a friend fighting leukemia. Four years later Monica learned she was a perfect match for a 39-year-old female leukemia patient for whom she donated marrow on Dec. 8, 2008.
“I was raised by fantastic parents who taught me ‘to those much is given, much is expected’ so I try to live my life helping others where I can, just as seven others helped me.”
Denise Camacho and Enrique Linares Jr.
In January 2009, Enrique Linares Jr. travelled to Denver along with his family for a very special introduction. He was preparing to meet the young woman who helped save his life.
Enrique was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002 and after aggressive treatments, doctors determined that a marrow transplant was Enrique’s best chance at survival.
Two years before Enrique’s diagnosis, Denise Camacho of Aurora, Colo. decided to join the Be the Match Registry®. Then, in 2003 Denise got the call that she was a potential match for a then 14-year-old boy in Cleveland who was suffering from leukemia. Denise jumped at the chance to help save a stranger’s life and on April 11, 2003, at the age of 22, she made that selfless life-saving donation.
Although the two had connected on the internet, Enrique and Denise had never met face-to-face until being brought together by Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program. Enrique thanked Denise for saving his life and in return she thanked him for being a fighter.
Myth Busters
MYTH: There are plenty of ethnically diverse donors on the registry to help patients in need of a match.
FACT: More donors are always needed particularly donors of a racially or ethnically diverse heritage. Patients are most likely to match donors of their same race and ethnicity. The Hispanic and Latino population only represents 10 percent of the nearly 9 million people on the national registry.
MYTH: All marrow donations involve surgery.
FACT: The majority of procedures do not involve surgery and are much like making a blood donation. Today, the patient’s doctor most often requests a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is similar to making a blood donation. The second way of donating is marrow donation, which is a surgical procedure. In each case, donors typically go home the same day they donate.
MYTH: Donating marrow is painful and involves a long recovery.
FACT: There can be uncomfortable but short-lived side effects of making a PBSC donation. PBSC donors may have headaches, joint or muscle aches or fatigue after the donation but are typically back to their normal routine in one to two days. Those donating marrow receive general or regional anesthesia, so they feel no pain during donation. Marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in their lower back for one to two weeks afterward. Most marrow donors are back to their normal activities in two to seven days.
MYTH: Donating is dangerous and weakens the donor.
FACT: Though no medical procedure is without risk, there are rarely long-term side effects. If you are a potential match, Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program (CMDP) will contact you to undergo further testing to determine if you are a true match. If it is determined that you are a true match, you will undergo a physical examination to ensure you are healthy enough to give. Only a small amount of a donor’s marrow is needed to save the patient’s life, the donor’s immune system stays strong and the cells replace themselves within a few weeks.
