October 28th 2023.
After Sofia Gardella was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, her family was desperate to find a stem cell donor who could save her life. Fortunately, the Anthony Nolan Stem Cell Register was able to connect the family with Dana Ernst Behme, 52, from Helpsen, Germany. Dana donated the cells from her hometown, which were flown to the UK and used in the treatment that ultimately saved Sofia's life.
Sofia and Dana finally met in person for the first time this past Friday. Footage from Birmingham airport shows the emotional moment they shared a long embrace. Unfortunately, as Sofia was only two years old when the donation was made, she can't remember the events that led up to it. However, her mother Claire recalls vividly the day the stem cells arrived. She remembers seeing a courier pull up with a box that looked like a bag of blood. “We called it a bag of magic cells," she said.
Claire and Dana started communicating via email two years ago. When Dana sent a picture of herself, Claire was overwhelmed with emotion. She said, “It’s a really weird feeling. She was a stranger, she didn’t need to do it, and we are so, so grateful to her.”
The Anthony Nolan Stem Cell Register is a charity that connects people suffering from genetic conditions with life-saving donors. It is an incredible resource that helped Sofia find the donor that saved her life. After eight years, it was a touching moment when Sofia and Dana finally met in person.
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