Someone like you: Levi’s story

Levi, blood stem cell donor

Levi’s journey with Be The Match® started in his high school library. One day, while helping solve an IT issue for a member of HOSA (a leadership program for students interested in pursuing careers in health professions) he learned the group was hosting a drive for Be The Match. After eagerly joining the registry, he took to the school’s intercom to let everyone know that a swab drive was happening on campus. 

Be The Match never left Levi’s mind. Every time he started a new job, he would inform his employer that he could get a call one day—and then one day he did. At 21, Levi learned that he was a match for a young mom with aplastic anemia. Although his employer at the time threatened to fire him if he took the time off for the procedure, Levi never hesitated. 

His recipient Amanda, a mom of five, discovered she had aplastic anemia after a visit to the emergency room. At one point, she was receiving two units of platelets and one unit of blood a week to stay alive. She needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. 

In November 2020, Levi traveled with his family to Washington, D.C., for the bone marrow donation. Because of the severity of Amanda’s condition, the doctors took more bone marrow than usual, and Levi needed a little bit longer than is typical to fully recover. As he healed, Levi had the chance to explore Washington, D.C., checking out the museums and tourist sites with his mom. 

The idea of being a lifesaver is sometimes hard for Levi to comprehend. He’s humbled by the experience and the fact he was able to make a big impact. “I really try to live my life helping better other people’s lives because it’s what makes my life joyful,” he said. 

You can make a difference in someone’s life too. Learn more about joining the Be The Match Registry® by visiting my.bethematch.org/s/join. 

Levi rock climbing

Levi (right), blood stem cell donor with his recipient Amanda and her family