By Christine Fly, Associate Director of Communications & Alumni Engagement

Just as the spring semester was coming to an end, junior Brady Jacobs-Bell (Ohio State 22) received a phone call that would change his life and potentially save another.

The call came from NMDP with important news – Bell had been identified as a potential match for a patient in need of a stem cell donation – and, with that, an extraordinary journey began.

“I got the call in early summer,” Brady said. “It was NMDP and they told me I had the potential to be a match for a stem cell donation. I was surprised and excited. I knew this was something special a chance to really make a difference.” – Bell’s journey, like that of many stem cell donors, involved several steps before the actual donation could take place.

Following the initial phone call, there were rounds of detailed questions, followed by multiple blood tests to confirm the match and by June, everything was in place. On June 26, 2024, Bell, accompanied by his mom, arrived at the Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati, ready to make a difference.

Some may ask what motivated Bell to say yes to this deeply personal and potentially life-saving procedure. For Bell, the answer was simple.

“When I got the call, I thought about the person on the other end,” Bell said. “This wasn’t some random blood donation-this was someone’s life. I didr’t hesitate because I knew if I had the chance to help, I had take it. I didn’t want to look back and wonder what might have happened if 1 hadn’t stepped up.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM CELL DONATION

Bell’s story is powerful not only because of his willingness to donate, but also because of the broader importance of stem cell donation. NMDP, formerly known as Be The Match, facilitates thousands of life-saving donations each year, connecting patients who are battling blood cancers and other serious conditions with matching donors. In many cases, stem cell or bone marrow transplants are the only potential cure for these patients.

Blood cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, destroy the bone marrow, which is the body’s factory for producing healthy blood cells. Without functioning bone marrow, patients can’t produce the red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets needed to survive. 

A stem cell transplant from a healthy donor can essentially reset the patient’s blood-making system, giving them a chance at life and a future. Finding a match is no small feat. The best matches are often found between people who are of similar genetic backgrounds, meaning family members are usually the first candidates. For 70% of patients, no suitable match is found within their family, that’s when NMDP is vital to connecting them with a worldwide network of potential donors through the NMDP registry.

And that’s why Bell’s decision to answer the call was so important.

“I didn’t hesitate because I knew if I had the chance to help, I had to take it,” Bell said. I didn’t want to look back and wonder what might have happened if I hadn’t stepped up.”

THE DONATION EXPERIENCE
On the day of his donation, Bell was fortunate to be able to donate through a blood stem cell transfer, a less invasive alternative to a traditional bone marrow donation.

“It’s like giving blood, but with an extra step,” Bell said. “Blood was drawn from one arm any the stem cells were filtered out before the blood was returned to my other arm.”

The procedure took about five hours and Bell was well cared for throughout.

“The nurses at Hoxworth Blood Center were fantastic. They helped me settle in and made sure I was comfortable the whole time, which really made the whole process easier and helped ease my nerves,” he said.

His mom stayed by his side throughout the process and provided emotional support. Bell emphasized that despite some discomfort from being hooked up to a machine for several hours, the experience was well worth it.

“I kept thinking about the person who would receive these cells,” Bell said. “The idea that my small sacrifice could give someone else more time with their family or a second chance at life was really powerful. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

WHY DONATING THROUGH NMDP MATTERS
What makes Bell’s experience even more impactful is understanding the immense need for donors like him. The NMDP registry helps patients who may not have a family match find a suitable donor. Not everyone who registers will be called upon to donate, but for those who are, the opportunity to save a life is profound.

Many patients who need transplants face life-threatening diseases. For them, a donation from a matched donor can be the difference between survival and losing the battle. For decades, bone marrow transplants have been a cornerstone of cancer treatment, and blood stem cell donations like Bell’s are a less invasive option in the majority of cases.

The importance of increasing the donor pool cannot be overstated. Each year, thousands of patients are left waiting for a match, their lives hanging in the balance. Expanding the number of donors on the registry means more people can receive the life-saving transplants they need.

Bell’s experience serves as a reminder of how simple it can be to make a profound impact. Registering with NMDP is easy, and for those who are matched, the donation process is straightforward. And, the result is life-changing-both for the patient and for the donor.

As Bell reflected on his experience, he hopes others will consider joining the registry.

“You never know when you might get the call,” he said. “And if you do, it could be the most important call you ever answer.”

Bell’s selfless act exemplifies the best of humanity: a willingness to give, even when it’s not easy, for the sake of someone you may never meet. Through NMDP, his donation offers a beacon of hope for a patient in need- proof that one person’s choice can truly save a life.

For those who are inspired by his story, registering as a potential donor is the first step. You might be the match someone has been waiting for.