Marc (donor) and his recipient, Zeke
Marc was inspired to join the Be The Match Registry® by his best friend, Clint, who had received a blood stem cell donation from an anonymous donor and became an ambassador for Be The Match®. Unfortunately, Clint passed away, but Marc carried on his legacy by donating blood stem cells to help save the life of a 6-year-old boy.
Marc’s recipient, Zeke, was in search of a second donor after his body rejected the cells from his first transplant in July 2020. Action had to be taken quickly—and Marc didn’t hesitate, saying “absolutely” when asked to donate. Weeks later, Zeke received the life-saving transplant.
Marc (left) with his recipient, Zeke, at the 2021 Be The Match Gala
It only took a few days for Marc to recover from donating his blood stem cells. Zeke, however, had a long road ahead of him. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic , Zeke spent months in the hospital, away from his siblings and family, because of complications. With incredible strength, Zeke pushed through and after 14 months of being in the hospital, he was able to go home.
Soon after, Marc was invited to the annual Be The Match Gala to meet Zeke. Walking on that stage and seeing the child whose life he helped save was so surreal, he said. “Meeting Zeke was incredibly humbling. I felt so full meeting him and his parents; they are wonderful people,” Marc told Alabama NewsCenter. “This has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life, and I feel lucky that I’m the one who got to match with Zeke.”
Marc (second from left) with Zeke and his family at the 2021 Be The Match Gala
Zeke’s family is thankful that Marc stepped up and joined the Be The Match Registry. You can be a lifesaver too. Visit our website to join the registry today!
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