"Thank you so much ... you're such a blessing," the mom told the donor when they finally met.
There's no greater gift you can give someone than the gift of a second chance at life. Alika Jones knew she was doing the right thing when she decided to be part of the Be The Match bone marrow registry during a homecoming drive in 2013. Four years later she ended up saving a 14-year-old boy's life. "There was a 14-year-old boy who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and he needed a donor," Jones told Good Morning America."I just wanted to help someone, if I could, not have to worry about their child."
Mom meets woman who saved son's life with bone marrow donation https://t.co/aT3yyxdun9 Wilson(NEW YORK) -- Alika Jones was one of hundreds of Southeastern Louisiana University students who signed up for the Be The Match bone marrow registry during a homecoming drive in 2013.
— KTBB Radio (@KTBBRadio) February 20, 2023
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The young teen is Josiah Knight who underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in 2017. Being on the registry was one of the best decisions she ever made, Jones confessed. "Next to being a mother, I feel like it's one of the greatest things that I've ever done in my life, to be able to help someone," she shared.
According to Be The Match, they have been working for 35 years to help thousands of people diagnosed every year with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Operated by the National Marrow Donor Program they have become "the most diverse marrow registry in the world" where they "work every day to save lives through transplants." They are a community of donors, volunteers, healthcare professionals, and researchers helping patients get the life-saving treatments they need.
Alika Jones, of Louisiana, donated bone marrow to Knight back in 2017 when he was just a young teen. The donation saved the young man's life and Knight is now thriving at 20 years old, thanks to Jones' donation. The boy who lives with Down Syndrome is living his life to the fullest and his mom Keesha Wilson couldn't be more grateful. "It was a perfect match. His body was healed," Wilson shared. "And he may not have to say his own words, but if you see his smile, you know, he's very thankful and grateful."
"It was a perfect match. His body was healed. And he may not have to say his own words, but if you see his smile, you know, he's very thankful and grateful." https://t.co/uT6HB2rsrS
— ABC News (@ABC) February 21, 2023
In an emotional surprise, Wilson dropped by the interview to say thanks to the woman who saved her son's life. Tears ran all around as the two hugged in a tight embrace grateful for the incredible journey. Wilson said she wanted to meet Jones because, "Without her, my son wouldn't be here."
"Thank you so much ... you're such a blessing," Wilson told Jones when they finally met after traveling with her family from California to Louisiana. "I really appreciate you. I really do."
References:
https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-blood-stem-cells/
Cover Image Source: YouTube | Good Morning America
