In February 2023, Carolyn Binker, a 41-year-old wife and mother of two from Cutler Bay, Fla., was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia after surviving breast cancer five years prior.
I was extremely angry and devastated, said Binker. Our family had been through so much with my previous cancer diagnosis, and I worked so hard to beat that, it was like a slap in the face. It was extremely unfair that we had to face this monster yet again, even in a different form.
With no siblings or other matching family members, Binker discovered that her only chance of treating the aggressive new cancer was through a stem cell transplant. After an initial wave of fear, she made the decision to fight once again, determined to live and watch her children grow up. Thankfully, she was quickly matched with her life-saving donor.
Her donor, Erik Haugen, a 25-year-old who resides in Mill Creek, Wash., joined the Gift of Life Marrow Registry as a freshman while attending California Lutheran University in 2017. With a cousin who had previously been a match and donated, he already knew that joining the registry by swabbing was a worthwhile cause.
By the time Haugen was identified as a match, he was in his first year of the physical therapy graduate program at Regis University in Denver, Colo.
My family, specifically my mom, was incredibly excited and interested about the whole process, said Haugen. My friends thought it was really cool to donate and were jealous I was missing class for it. My professors were extremely supportive and excited for me as well.
After the required wait time of at least one year that is obligated by medical anonymity laws, the two met at the crowded hockey arena, cheered on by thousands of fans.
Binker was overwhelmed with gratitude for the second chance at life that Haugen had given her. I dont think there are enough words or accolades on this planet to thank [him] for making the choice to donate and help save my life.
Being able to help provide a life-supporting treatment to someone in need is an incredible feeling, said Haugen. Donating is so easy and simple, theres really no reason not sign up for registry.
During the game, fans had the opportunity to join the registry by swabbing at Gift of Lifes donor recruitment drive inside the arena. To order a registration kit to be sent to your home, visit www.giftoflife.org/swab.
About Gift of Life Marrow Registry
Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. The organization, established in 1991, is dedicated to saving lives by facilitating blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases. The registry houses its own state-of-the-art stem cell collection center, biobank, and laboratory. To learn more about Gift of Life Marrow Registry, visit www.giftoflife.org.
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