Meeting my donor
I am just back from an incredible fundraising event in NYC for Ezer Mizion, the amazing international bone marrow marrow registry that found my donor. The are an incredible force for good, a wonderful non-profit.
I was the keynote speaker at the gathering.
Amazing amazing amazing. Emotionally wasted and physically exhausted from the fabulous time.
I MET MY DONOR- a young very conservative, very orthodox, very religious man of 23, newly wed, an Israeli rabbinic student, quiet and loving. A wonderful person who talked about how his world was changed by his life saving gift
Despite our near identical genetics, we don't very much look alike, although our coloring is similar, He is small boned, delicate, with a serious and caring demeanor. We both of course come from eastern European stock, but our family backgrounds are very different. We spent hours together talking at this gorgeous 7 story townhouse on the upper east side of Manhattan.
The 50 or so people there were all friendly and interesting and very generous.
Everyone said that my speech went very well. I was crying so it was hard for me to judge. My wife and daughter, Heather were also crying. All the men in the room were crying. Everyone was crying. Then they surprised me and brought out my donor, and I cried more and everyone cried way more. Lots of crying.
We raised a ton of money last night for Ezer Mizion. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that thousands of lives will be saved.
Meeting my donor wasn't like getting married or seeing your child for this time, but it was up there.
I am a very lucky man.
It was a very special day, full of love and healing.
More later. I need a shower and a nap.
Labels: Meeting my donor Ezer Mizion
posted by Brian Koffman at
12:05 AM
6 Comments:
Loved this post. Almost cried, thinking of it all. What a gift, to meet the donor.
What an amazing post! You made me cry too.
TomD
Oh, Dr K, I'm so glad for your experience in this post. So moving, you brought tears to my eyes as well. Among all those lives saved--may it change the world. For the better. Mazel tov.
Linda Morse
See, it all went well, and then some!
HI Brian
Wow what a post to read and what an amazing experience. I, too, almost cried.
Looking forward to reading your next posts about your fundraising events and your donor.
That is truly amazing.
love
Susan
Dear Dr.K,
Ok, Now I will be late to my appt. I too cried and now I must go put my makeup back on. How very exciting for you. I can't think of a better surprise. What wonderful people to do this for you. May they be blessed for all the good they are doing.
Rest and be well.
Judy
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