Meeting his match

Stem cell transplant from donor in Germany saves Kellys life

By Debra Downey,Senior Editor

Kelly Barber waited a full day before finally tapping the send button that would connect him with the woman in Germany who saved his life.

Kelly was worried about what he should say, how he should say it and the reaction hed get from a female 20 years his junior thousands of miles and an ocean away. But Kelly knew he had to reach out. He couldnt just simply let the womans amazing gift go unrecognized.

She saved my life. Theres no question about it. I can never thank her enough, but I wanted to meet the person who saved my life, said Kelly.

A father, husband and soon-to-be first-time grandpa, Kelly remembers well the day he was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was Dec. 31, 2007. Stomach cramps that developed shortly after his Boxing Day meal continued to get worse. Kelly could stand the pain no longer and went to emergency.

I knew what (lymphoma) was. I had a cousin pass away at the age of 38, and a good friend and co-worker, said Barber. But I was in a certain amount of shock because we didnt know the severity.

Kelly underwent two series of chemotherapy treatments, but his condition grew more grave as the cancer became more aggressive. In the ensuing two years, Kelly spent 165 days in the hospital. His wife, Erika, his children and family members thought more than once he would lose his battle.

Kellys only option for survival was a stem cell transplant. Four siblings were tested, 50 or 60 cousins. No match.

As time ticked down on Kellys life, the search grew nationally and then globally, to countries who share data with OneMatch, Canadian Blood Services stem cell and bone marrow collection network.

Read the rest here:
Meeting his match