My name is Ro-Lunda Jackson and I am a PBSC donor. I signed up for the registry in February of 1997. I was pregnant with my oldest daughter and at the time my husband, son and I were visiting the local Stock Stock and Rodeo. Becoming a part of the registry was as easy as swabbing my inner checks and signing a consent form. The exciting part was when I received a phone call about 15 years later with the news that I was a possible match for an eight year old boy. I was totally excited and looked forward to being able to help someone in need. I then began the process of a health history check and receiving donation information when I received a call that my recipient had went into a crisis and the process had to be halted until further notice. Upon hearing the news I began to pray for Jacob, which is the name my husband later gave him, that he would become well enough to receive a donation. In about a couple of weeks I received a phone call stating that we could proceed with the donation process if I so chose. It was not a moment of hesitation in my response. So the process resumed. I went through an extensive medical background check and physical to determine that I was indeed the best match for our little Jacob. When it was deemed so, I was in the high 90th percentile of compatibility and that made me so happy because I was indeed the best match. When the time came for me to begin receiving my injections I became more and more excited because I realized that God was preparing me for one of the most spiritual journeys of my life. I also experienced a hint of anxiety because I knew that as I was receiving my injections Jacob was going through the process of having all of his diseased bone marrow eliminated in preparation of receiving my blood stem cells. I prayed that God would see me through the process because if for any reason I was not able to follow through, the only option for Jacob would be death. When I made it to the day of donation on August 8, 2011, I was overcome with joy. The tears would not stop flowing. I praise and thank God for allowing me to be able to be used in such a way. Ive been called a hero numerous times over but I just see it as doing my Christian duty.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 12:45:15 +0000
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