Young Man Who Beat Leukemia Finally Meets The Selfless Donor Who Saved His Life

A bone marrow recipient finally meets the man who saved his life after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Joe Burr was in need of a bone marrow transplant in order to live, after battling leukemia at the age of 15 and relapsing when he was 18.

Armando Garcia, a reporter and producer for ABC News, was registered with Be The Match, and ended up being a perfect match for Burr.

When they called him to tell him he was a match, he agreed without hesitation to donate his stem cells in order to save a stranger’s life.

To be on the national bone marrow registry, you sign up for a swab kit. Once it arrives, you simply swab the inside of your cheek and mail it back.

Scientists then take the samples and study the HLA markers, which are human leukocyte antigens, to see if they match with the recipient.

Most donors can donate stem cells without surgery, but for ten percent of donors, like Garcia, a surgical procedure is required.

Garcia’s surgery was a success and Burr received his stem cells, over 500 miles away, praying this would cure his cancer.

Thanks to Garcia’s donation, Burr’s prayers were answered, and he has been declared cancer-free!

One year later, the two of them finally met for the first time face-to-face.

The two of them hugged and Burr thanked Garcia for giving him a second chance at life.

Watch their story and emotional first meeting in the video below: