Dear Donor
A letter of gratitude to the bone marrow donor whose sacrificial generosity gave a beloved son the chance not only to live, but to thrive.
We wrote the following to Ro’s bone marrow transplant donor when he graciously donated a second time to fortify Ro’s body after the team decided a stem cell boost was the only option outside of a second transplant last October (October 2024). I share in gratitude and as a reminder that more good comes than we might ever know from giving for the sole purpose of helping another. This is true especially when sharing or giving is done to those recipients who will never be able to repay the gift that has been given (Luke 14:12-14). Every act of kindness matters and, kindness does make all the difference.
Dear Donor,
We are at a loss for words over your sacrificial kindness and generosity. Your willingness to donate has given our son the best chance to live. And not just to live but to thrive: for his body to heal and to be able to flourish with strong, healthy bone marrow that is not susceptible to cancer.
It is priceless to see our son play, to hear his laugh, and to watch him be a big brother and friend. He and his siblings are our greatest gifts from God. He is irreplaceable and we cannot imagine life without his smile, his joy and his presence. Because of your donation last summer, our son was given a second chance. Now, because of you again and your donation, he has been given the gift of his body being fortified against the threat of his cancer returning.
We know that your gift did not come without personal cost. You sacrificed your time, your energy, and endured the discomfort of painful medicines – all to give without receiving.
You have given us everything and have asked nothing. You are an incredible individual and a blessing to all of us, and all who love our son.
You have lived out the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, “Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give, and not to count the cost, to fight, and not to heed the wounds, to toil, and not to seek for rest, to labor, and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we are doing your will.”
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
With Gratitude and Joy,
The parents of a cancer and bone marrow transplant survivor