Today is a special day for a special little girl. July 2 will soon become Sarah’s second “birthday” – the anniversary of the transplant that we pray will bring her back to good health.
You probably know Sarah’s face from the Gift of Life website and from our Facebook page. Over a thousand new bone marrow donors enrolled with Gift of Life on her behalf. Sarah’s classmates and friends were especially helpful during her search. They were among our most enthusiastic recruiters at the Boston Marathon, where we recruited a remarkable 840 donors, including several runners who actually stepped away from the race to get swabbed!
In many ways Sarah is a typical nine year-old girl. She loves ice skating and horseback riding. She loves her dog, her Brownie troop, playing with her friends (who love her in return), eating Chinese food, and … the New York Yankees. You got it, she lives in Boston, but Sarah prides herself an ardent Yankees fan! She loves all the things a little girl her age would love. Well, maybe except the Red Sox!
But Sarah has special qualities that make her unique. Her mom describes her as deep and thoughtful with insights into life that most adults, let alone children don’t have… a beautiful child with a kind soul, a “gutte neshama.”
I had the opportunity to meet Sarah for the first time back in April when I visited her in the hospital. Prior to my visit with Sarah, her doctors told her family that she had treatment options, one of which might be a bone marrow transplant. At the time, her dad shared something with me that defines the very special child that Sarah is – and I quote – “I am the luckiest unlucky kid.”
I had to ask myself, why would Sarah feel lucky after being diagnosed with leukemia? As her dad explained to me, it was because the other kids on her floor definitely did need transplants. Sarah felt lucky because at that time she had other options, and she wanted to do all she could to help the other kids. In fact, her dad told me that she asked if she could donate her own blood or bone marrow to help them. Imagine that, as sick as she was, undergoing chemotherapy, and yet she was thinking of others, not herself! So it came as no surprise that Sarah agreed to lend her name and her photo to our swab-a-thon for the Boston Marathon, hoping to help all kids in need. Unfortunately, just a few days later, the doctors told Sarah and her family that the chemo had failed, and that she herself would need a bone marrow transplant after all.
It has been a long few months for Sarah and her family since that drive. Numerous other drives have added 1,277 new donors to the Gift of Life Registry, already finding three matches for patients in need, one of which has already resulted in a transplant. Please visit www.giftoflife.org/swab4sarah for details.
I am thankful to report that today, at last is Sarah’s special day. Today, Sarah receives her bone marrow transplant. Please join me in wishing Sarah a refuah schlema – a speedy recovery – and keep her in your daily prayers. Our thoughts are with her and her family. If you would like to share your well wishes, please add them below.
I’m so happy Sarah found a match and had her second birthday today. I was having a bad day then read about sarah’s update and I was so happy it made me cry. I have only met Sarah twice but those two times I will never forget how she was a great friend to a little girl who has Asperger’s. Sarah excepted her and they became really good friends. I wish Sarah the best of luck and a speedy recovery. I know how much her friends miss her. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers tonight….
Jay—Thank you SOOOO much for this beautiful entry about Sarah. It perfectly captures her and her incredible spirit. We will continue to pray for her speedy recovery and will do anything we can to support her family. Thank you for all that you do and have done!!!!
Best, Beth & Maisie (we met at the drive here in Boston) 🙂
Sarah….
I am so excited for you! We are all praying every single day that you will be back to your old self very very soon. We miss your smiling face at KI. Shirley and I take time to think of you every day. Nir, Philip, Nancy and all of the other teachers check in to see how you are all of the time. The Sable girls cannot wait to come and see you…do we have craft stuff for you! Sending you love, hugs, kisses and wishes for a speedy recovery.
All my love,
Jennifer
Sarah,
You continue to amaze and inspire. Not a lot of people have your resilience and sense of reflection. We are sending you warm birthday wishes and are thrilled you found a match!!!! Much love and hugs to you and your family – and of course Missy.
The Palmuccis
Dear, Sweet, Sarah,
You have been on our minds non stop. Rest up as you recuperate. Share your beautiful smile each day with someone there at Children’s. I can’t wait until you can leave the transplant ward. We made a camp-wide Misheberach prayer for you this past Shabbat at Camp Ramah New England.
Meanwhile, let us know what projects you might like delivered to your room to work on… do you like to hook rug? We love you so much,
Karen and David Farbman and kids
Hi Sarah,
I’m one of the people who works at Gift of Life, behind the scenes. I test our computer software to make sure it works. There is a small group of people like me here at Gift of Life, people you probably won’t meet in person, “worker bees” who spend our workdays doing jobs you might not expect, working to make it possible for Gift of Life staff to find donors and match them up to patients like you. You are the reason we do what we do.
I hope you know that you have been given more than just your donor’s cells. You have been given the hope and caring of a team of people who are pulling for your recovery and your bright future, and we are with you in spirit.
Sharon Zohar
Gift of Life Quality Assurance Engineer (and fellow Yankees fan)
We are thinking of and wishing you a happy 2nd birthday.
Every day you are in our minds and hearts.
Sarah- we hope you will be feeling stronger soon so your wonderful smile will beam itself to all of us.
We will sending you our smiles. I hope you can feel our spirit with you and your family as you recover.
Love
Granny and Gramps ( Maisie’s grandparents)
Sarah,
All of us around the corner at 17 Cary Road send love and best wishes for your return home in all ways. Jeremy especially misses his neighbor friends. We send positive thoughts your way every time we pass your house (which is almost daily) and every day anyway.
Jeremy Cohen and his mom Amy and dad Rob
Dear Sarah- You are always in my thinking bubble! I send you lots of positive thoughts, good wishes, and a big hug! Please let me know if there is anything I can do! I would love to visit you when you and your family say it is OK. Love to you and your family. Ms. Arnold