On the one hand we want to throw caution to the wind and simply celebrate that Tami has now overcome one of the hardest obstacles she faces: Finding that elusive 10 marker match. At this point all we know is that an anonymous donor was indeed a perfect tissue type match for Tami.
What we don't know is has this person already been health screened to determine if they are physically eligible to donate? There are many reasons why they may not be allowed to donate no matter how willing they are. Once we have confirmed this has been done it's pretty safe to say that Tami has a donor.
There is also a 50% chance that a donor will say no and decline donating but from what I've learned this usually happens when they are first notified they are a match, or after they've been briefed on the donor process in greater detail. Please say a prayer tonight that Tami's potential donor has already been briefed and still wants to go ahead with the donation.
If this is the case she could receive her transplant by then end of the month.
Sadly some patients will have 2 or 3 or 4 potential donors either decline to give or turn out to be ineligible to donate. I can't even imagine the heartache this causes. To raise your hopes only to have things not work out.
Thank you all for your support so far, and know that if Tami's potential donor backs out for any reason we'll still be here prepared to keep searching until we find one for her. There was a second possible match for her but at this time this person has not yet been confirmed as being a close enough tissue type to actually be a donor for her.
Tami is feeling very hopeful and appreciative of all of the support everyone has given to her. In my opinion she has every reason to feel hopeful as she has already defied the odds by finding a match so quickly. This isn't how things typically go for minority patients. Usually they wait the longest of all patients to find a useable match, let alone a perfect one.
I'll keep you posted the moment I hear back, hopefully tomorrow, whether or not not only the match but the donor's health and willingness to donate have also been confirmed.
Posted by Stacie (Tami's cousin)
Learn more about her on Tami's Website.
I'm praying that this donor works out. You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I found out about your condition. I'm working with Edward to organize a donor drive in Sacramento. Stay strong!! ~lisa n.
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