donor stories

MetLife's Recruitment Program -- A Success Story

Adapted from "Making a Difference, One Platelet at a Time," in Impact: The Insurance Industry's Contribution to Community Development , published by the Insurance Information Institute, New York, summer 2006, vol. 12, no. 1. Used by permission.

When she donated her bone marrow in November 2002 to a woman with leukemia, Chrissy Krauss never dreamed she would be identified as a match for someone else. But in April, she learned that she had been -- this time, for a seven-year-old boy, also with leukemia.

The systems analyst from MetLife ® 's office in Convent Station, New Jersey, said there was no question she would donate again. Krauss first became involved in the National Marrow Donor Program through a recruitment program at MetLife. "I had never really thought about marrow donation until MetLife set up a booth in our office to talk about this," said Krauss.

MetLife has provided longstanding support for the Marrow Donor Program. Since 1998, the company has worked actively to recruit employees, such as Krauss, as potential marrow donors by having them join the national Registry. To date, about 4,000 associates have done so. The MetLife Foundation provided funding to begin the program. MetLife has also has supported the Registry effort by developing an educational corporate donor video for The Marrow Foundation to use on a national basis.

Although Krauss was surprised to be identified a second time as a match, she willingly agreed to be a donor. "How can you balance a couple of days of discomfort with what this boy is going through," she explained. "The idea that I could help save a life -- that I had something very unique to give -- is what led me to donate both times."

The need for marrow donors is great, even more so in certain minority populations, according to Deanna Sainten, who manages MetLife's Corporate Blood and Marrow Program. Every year, more than 35,000 children and adults are diagnosed with leukemia or other forms of cancer for which a marrow or a blood cell transplant could be the cure. About 30 percent will find a matching donor within their family; the remaining 70 percent will need to search for an unrelated donor.

"Truth be told, I was afraid to join the Registry at first," admitted Krauss. "But there is so much good that can be done, and you really get the support, information and medical care you need to make the decision that's right for you. It's a personal choice but, for my part, I could only say yes."

One year after the donation, Krauss got the opportunity to meet Kyle, the boy whose life she had transformed. Krauss attended an event sponsored by The Marrow Foundation at Carnegie Hall in New York and was able to see firsthand the positive impact she had made in someone's life.

"Kyle is doing well," said Krauss. "The emotions that I felt when I met Kyle for the first time were indescribable. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity. I've thought of and prayed for him throughout this past year. Just seeing what a strong and healthy eight-year-old Kyle has become is all the thanks I need. Being a bone marrow donor has been such a wonderful, eye-opening experience."

"Krauss is an outstanding example of what our MetLife recruitment program can accomplish, bringing together real heroes with people in real need," said Bill Mullaney, president of MetLife Auto & Home ® and chair of MetLife's Blood and Bone Marrow Program.

Rody's Story

At the young age of five, Rody was a like all kids his age, full of energy and a joyful spirit.   He loved playing with his friends, going to school, and playing video games.   Shortly after his sixth birthday the innocence of his young age vanished as his world forever changed, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

As an only child, Rody did not have a donor in the family, nor could a match be found on the National Marrow Donor Registry, leaving chemotherapy as his only hope to stay in remission until a donor could be identified.   Rody and his family believed their prayers were answered when a perfect matched donor was identified. Unable to receive treatment in Central Florida, Rody and his family traveled to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Unfortunately the first transplant was not a success, his leukemia had returned; fortunately a second donor was identified allowing Rody a second chance at life. During Rody's long treatment, he and his family stayed in transplant housing until he could be released to return to his physicians in Orlando. Today, Rody is a normal, healthy, happy 12 year old enjoying school and his new baby brother.