‘Exuberant and thankful’: Cancer survivor meets stem cell donor who saved his life
By JULI MCDONALD
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BOSTON (WBZ) — Joyful tears and grateful hearts at a celebration of life in Boston Thursday night. At a Gift of Life marrow registry fundraiser, a New England lymphoma survivor met the selfless stranger from South Carolina, who gave him the most priceless gift.
“Whenever a person is given a new lease on life, how can you be anything other than exuberant and thankful,” said Wayne Misselbeck from Vermont.
Misselbeck spent his career caring for others as an ER doctor. Then at the height of the pandemic needed a blood stem cell transplant to stay alive.
“The opportunity to have walked my daughter down the aisle to have been there when she had my first grandchild is an exceptional experience,” he added.
Precious milestones as a father and grandfather… made possible by a stranger’s love for his own children.
“When I donated it was right when my wife was pregnant with our first child, and I thought about what if this happened to one of my kids?” said donor and dad of three Cory Beck.
The donation may have been for Wayne, but the celebrations and all the simple moments in between… are a miracle for everyone who loves him.
“He is present in our lives, he’s active in church. He’s alive. This is perfect. To know Cory and Lindsey now is just growing our family,” said Wayne’s wife Jennifer.
Cory said the process to join the registry couldn’t have been easier – which inspired many others to complete the quick and painless swab for the chance to be someone’s miracle.
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