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Sara Wells, a 25-year-old retail worker from Roselle Park shared an emotional first meeting with her transplant recipient, 9-year-old Natalie Hughes of Greenville, MS, at the annual event hosted by Gift of Life Marrow Registry on Monday, Nov. 18 (click here for video).
Natalie was diagnosed with aplastic anemia at just five years old after her parents noticed unusual bruising. Her condition required a stem cell transplant to survive.
Wells joined the registry in 2018 during a campus drive at New Jersey Institute of Technology and was identified as a match for Natalie, who was battling aplastic anemia, a rare and severe blood disorder. Wells stepped forward as the perfect match.
During the reunion, Natalie thanked Wells personally, saying, “Thank you for donating to me. You are an amazing person.”
The gala also recognized Cuban-American musician Emilio Estefan, Jr., with the Community Impact Award and honored other community leaders for their support. Attendees included City of Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and Vice Mayor Alex Fernandez.
Gift of Life Marrow Registry, headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., facilitates lifesaving transplants for patients battling blood cancers and disorders. To learn more or join the registry, visit www.giftoflife.org.
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