Jackson Bone Marrow Donor Shares Story, Speaks at National Forum

JACKSON, Tenn. — September 18 is World Bone Marrow Day, which encourages people to donate stem cells to help others with different health issues.

“It’s actually a day where we’re encouraging people to donate stem cells, there’s so many people out there who have blood cancers, and so stem cells are helping to be a process for them to help heal in that. process,” LaTrina Morman said.

Morman chose to become a donor in 1997, and she has seen firsthand how donors can save or heal a life. His father received a kidney transplant, completely changing his life.

“I signed up just because my dad needed a kidney transplant, so I signed up and said, ‘Hey, why not? and not knowing that so many years later I would get a call to donate stem cells, so I donated stem cells to a recipient in the Netherlands.

22 years after becoming a donor, Morman was able to donate bone marrow. It was a long process, but for the result, she says it was worth it.

“It made me feel like I was making a difference with someone I didn’t know, I didn’t know if he had family, but I feel like I gave him an opportunity for hope. , whether it’s just one more birthday, another chance to celebrate with family and friends, or just a day they haven’t felt any pain,” Morman said.

Morman encourages people to consider being a donor if you can. She says there are a lot of questions and worries about the donation, but with support and courage, she says it could be the most rewarding experience of your life.

“From all walks of life, from all ethnicities, to really consider donating because we all have a purpose in life and that’s a way for you to be so selfless in giving to another,” said Morman said.

On Sept. 17, Morman will speak at a national policy forum hosted by the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, to advocate for donor work leave.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a bone marrow donor, click here.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.