A tearful reunion took place at Children's Hospital on Wednesday as a woman who had received a bone marrow transplant met her donor. “It's a daily blessing to get through a difficult time,” said Hilary Haynes, a physician and associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Eight-year-old Sophie Cromer met her bone marrow transplant donor, Macy Fuselier. “I feel like I lost my mind,” Fuselier said. “I couldn't stop crying, and she was looking up at me crying. I thought, 'Stop,' but the tears just wouldn't stop. I can't believe it. It doesn't feel real.” In September 2022, Adam and Candice Cromer learned that Sophie, then 6, had aplastic anemia. “It was severe,” Candice Cromer said. “We did our own research and found out the only cure was to have a bone marrow transplant.” Three years after Fuselier registered to be a donor, she learned she was a match for little Sophie. “Oh, I forgot we did this,” Fuselier said. “I was so nervous because I actually matched with someone. I was so nervous that I called my dad. He told me to pray and think about it, so I did. I'm so glad I said yes.” Sophie received her bone marrow transplant in January 2023. Nearly two years after the successful surgery, her parents said they were finally able to focus on life as a child. “She wasn't allowed to dance or be physically active because of the bruising and low platelet count, but she started her first dance class this fall. She's enjoying dancing and feeling like herself again,” Cromer said. As Sophie hugged Fuselier, a part of her connected with Fuselier. Fuselier encourages others to give the gift of life. “Don't hesitate,” Fuselier said. “Do it. Absolutely.” The reunion marked the first donor-recipient reunion since the pandemic began.
A woman who received a bone marrow transplant met her donor in a tearful reunion at a children's hospital on Wednesday.
“It's these days that motivate us to persevere through these difficult times,” said Hilary Haynes, a physician and associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Eight-year-old Sophie Cromer met her bone marrow transplant donor, Macy Fuselier.
“I feel like I fainted,” Fusselier said. “I couldn't stop crying and she was looking up at me crying. I said, 'Stop,' but the tears just wouldn't stop. I can't believe it. It doesn't seem real.”
In September 2022, Adam and Candace Cromer learned that Sophie, who was six years old at the time, had aplastic anemia.
“The condition was so severe,” Candace Cromer said, “we did our own research and found that the only treatment was a bone marrow transplant.”
Three years after Fusselier registered to be a donor, she discovered her blood type was a match for little Sophie.
“I thought, Oh, I forgot I did this,” Fusellier said. “I actually did get matched with someone, and I was really nervous. I was really nervous, so I called my dad. He told me to pray about it and think about it, and I did, and I'm so glad I said yes.”
Sophie underwent a bone marrow transplant in January 2023. Nearly two years after the successful surgery, Sophie's parents say she is finally able to focus on living as a child.
“Due to the bruising and low platelet count, my daughter was not allowed to dance or exercise, but this fall she started her first dance class and is feeling energized and enjoying it,” Cromer said.
And as Sophie embraced Fuselier, a part of her became connected with him.
Fusselier encourages others to give the gift of life.
“Don't think twice,” Fusselier said. “Just do it.”
The reunion marked the first time a donor and recipient have met since the pandemic began.
