SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Nancy Sovran figured a phone call from a celebrity would prove to be excellent medicine for her daughter.
Ellen DeGeneres was just what the doctor ordered.
On Tuesday, 15-year-old Hope Sovran received a bone marrow transplant at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was diagnosed in January with aplastic anemia. The Groves High School Freshman is a loyal Ellen fan.
Ten days ago, Nancy started a Facebook page with a not-so-subtle title:
"Hi Ellen DeGeneres. It's me Hope Sovran."
Nancy says the call came yesterday.
"I go, 'Is this really Ellen DeGeneres?' She says, 'Doesn't it sound like me?'"
Hope isn't revealing to her family what she and Ellen said to each other. But Hope's bone marrow donor is eager to talk about Ellen's call to her.
She is Hope's 7-year-old sister, Kathleen, who is recovering nicely in her Southfield home.
"She said it was very brave of you to do that for your sister, and she asked how I was feeling and other nice stuff. She makes everybody happy."
The bone marrow transplant will help her big sister produce more red blood cells. She already uses a wheelchair because of spina bifida.
"They made me fall asleep and take special blood from my hips," Kathleen said.
Nancy is proud of both girls.
"To me it was the true act of love and family. There wasn't a dry eye. It was a powerful moment," the mother said.
She and her husband have nine children.
The Sovrans have also gained 13,000 Facebook friends since the page was created ten days ago. They have lifted Hope's spirits with encouraging and inspiring messages.
"No one more than Hope is deserving of something really good," said Nancy. "She's a genuine individual--a kindhearted person. She doesn't know any different."
Doctors say Hope will remain extremely tired until the transplant creates more red blood cells. That will take about two weeks. She should be home in a month.
Nancy rises from a chair in the hospital room, leans over her sleeping daughter and strokes her hair.
"It's been a roller coaster ride, but a good one."
-- Hope Sovran
-- Kathleen Sovran