Bone marrow reunion highlights life‑saving bonds at City of Hope

DUARTE, Calif. (KABC) -- Hundreds of bone marrow transplant patients gathered at City of Hope last week in Duarte for an annual reunion, but the most emotional moments unfolded on center stage, where patients met the donors who saved their lives.

"I didn't know what I was going to feel or expect ... it's a lot," said 18-year-old Vaughn Wilson of Los Feliz.

Wilson was 15 when he was diagnosed with leukemia, and doctors told him his best chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant.

A match was eventually found across the world in Düsseldorf, Germany. Three years after his transplant, Wilson finally met his donor, 24-year-old Johanna Seeger.

While donating marrow is often similar to drawing blood, Seeger had marrow removed from her hip bone because of Wilson's young age.

"It wasn't that big of a thing, it was a week with a little bit of pain, but a no-brainer to do it. It definitely was worth it," Seeger said.

Her donation traveled more than 5,000 miles. Thanks to that gift, Wilson was able to beat cancer and graduate from high school.

Another reunion featured Alhambra resident Lynn Leiro, whose bone marrow transplant allowed her to see her own daughter graduate.

"Lots of tears over the last few years just waiting for today," Leiro said.

Leiro had previously survived breast cancer, but her leukemia proved more difficult.

"I had failed treatment after failed treatment, after failed treatment," she said.

"She had very aggressive mutations. So for her, time was of the essence to move up the transplant," said Dr. Vaibhav Agrawal, a hematologist oncologist at City of Hope.

Leiro eventually found her match in Patrick Abboud, who flew from North Carolina to Los Angeles to meet her in person.

"The idea that I played a small part in Lynn getting to live the life she deserves to her fulfillment with her family is the best thing I'll ever be a part of, genuinely," Abboud said.
This year's reunion coincided with the 50th anniversary of City of Hope's Bone Marrow Transplant program, which began in 1976, when the field was still emerging.

"City Hope has led the way for the field for bone marrow transplant both in terms of volume as well as outcomes and research. So, it's absolutely remarkable to mark the milestone of 50 years in this field and leading the way for 50 years," Agrawal said.

Now cancer-free, Wilson is preparing to start college. He and Seeger maintain a bond formed through the transplant; one they say goes beyond friendship.

"I hope we stay in contact, so we follow each other's life. Yeah, it's like family now," Seeger said.

Leiro and Abboud said they hope their reunion inspires others to join the bone marrow registry and gives patients facing similar battles a reason to hold on.

"Keep fighting. Keep fighting the good fight," Leiro said.