Palisadian Julie Dresner and Michelle Miller are related by blood. But the two women, who live 3,000 miles apart, only met for the first time last year. Dresner, who had been fighting Hodgkin’s lymphoma since 1984, was in dire need of a bone marrow transplant after subsequently developing leukemia from treatments.
When her brother wasn’t a match, Dresner’s doctors turned to the Be the Match donor registry to find a donor for the transplant. The search led to Miller, who lives in Rhode Island, and was a perfect 10-point match for Dresner.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Thirty-eight-year-old Miller, who lost her sister and husband to cancer, jumped at the chance to be a donor. Through a nonsurgical procedure, similar to giving blood, Miller’s marrow was extracted, frozen and shipped cross-country where it was administered to Dresner – changing her blood type from B to O – and ultimately saving her life.
“I get chills when I think about it. It’s overwhelming to know that her choice saved me,” Dresner said. “We’re extremely close and we share a real bond. She’s my soul sister, and she saved my life.”
In typical cases of marrow donation, donors remain anonymous for at least the first year. In Miller’s case, she and Dresner were selected to meet face-to-face at a transplant reunion hosted by the Dodgers at City of Hope. Friends and family surrounded donors and recipients who gathered to celebrate the life-giving gifts. At Dresner’s side was long-time friend Denise Mangimelli, who owns BOCA where Dresner sells jewelry.
“I have a great appreciation for Be the Match. It saved Julie’s life and I am grateful that she is still here,” Mangimelli said. “I wanted to do something to show my gratitude and give back.”
On Sunday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mangimelli and Dresner will be posted outside BOCA on Swarthmore to encourage Palisadians 18-44 years old to join the donor registry. Be the Match staffers will be on hand to take a cheek swab from serious donors.
When potential donors join Be The Match, their tissue type is added to the registry – it’s not a marrow donation. The actual donation will not occur until a donor is matched with a patient.
“It’s so easy to become a donor. It’s four quick swabs with a Q-tip and your tissue is sent away to the registry. You’ll be notified if you are a match and if you’re asked to actually donate, it’s just like having your blood drawn,” Dresner said. “We need as many young people as possible to donate. It’s a serious commitment, but it’s simple and it’s life saving.”
For those who are unable to donate, because they fall outside of the 18-44 age range or otherwise, donations will also be accepted at the donor drive on Sunday. There is never any cost with joining the registry because Be the Match covers the $100 cost of adding a donor to the list.
“I can imagine it is an incredible feeling to know you made the choice that saved someone’s life and we want to encourage the community to join us in doing all we can,” Dresner said.
Palisadians unable to be swabbed and registered at the drive on Sunday can stop by BOCA on Saturday or Monday as well.
Visit bethematch.org for more information.
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