Bone marrow drive held in Sterling Heights

Mother finds bone marrow match after 10 years

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – We first met Tara Revyn back in 2004. At the time, she was a young mother diagnosed with a form of leukemia. She needed a bone marrow transplant, but she couldn’t find a match.

"I’m adopted and Korean, I have no blood relatives," Revyn said.

After 10 years of waiting, her prayers were answered in 2013 when she matched with a man named Sam, who lived in Hawaii. 

"I thought, 'I can’t believe this is happening,'" she said of when she first got the news she had been matched. "My blood is going to be cancer free."

Three years removed from her transplant, Revyn has new life, but her fight is not over. These days, she works to inform others about the National Bone Marrow Registry.

"Everyone thinks bone marrow, they think painful," Revyn said. "These days, it’s almost as simple giving blood."

Stacey Rackham, of Ferndale, heard about the drive online.

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"One my girlfriends is in need and her sister posted on Facebook that there was a local drive," she said.

Rackham is probably not a match for her friend, but she could be a lifesaver for someone else.

Revyn's life was saved by a perfect stranger. She’s hoping someone will walk through the door today who will become someone else’s hero.

"It’s the greatest gift you can give someone," Revyn said.

For more information on the bone marrow registry, go to DKMS.org.


About the Author:

Jamie anchors sports coverage on Local 4 News Saturdays at 6 & 11 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., in addition to hosting Sports Final Edition.