'He's my DNA brother': Brookfield father receives bone marrow transplant from pro lacrosse player

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – “I got COVID-19. I was pretty sick. I was in the hospital for about a week,” said Tom Mix of Brookfield.

In November 2020, doctors discovered that he had a low white blood cell count, and after further tests, he was diagnosed with malignant leukemia.

“It was a total shock. I didn't know anything about leukemia so it was all new to me,” he said.

The busy father of four children needed a bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant.

“This is a major milestone for the patient, as we know that a transplant is the only treatment available,” said Dr. Amer Zeidan, chief of the hospital's hematological malignancies department. Yale Cancer Center.

The Yale Cancer Center medical team National Marrow Donor ProgramA register of people who have had a cheek swab test.

“There are about 40 million volunteer donors, and we can gather information and identify potential donors in an afternoon,” said Dr. Stuart Seropian, clinical director of the Stem Cell Transplant Program at Yale Cancer Center.

“We ended up finding the perfect match,” Mix said.

The game was played by professional lacrosse players. Alex Pacea defenseman Philadelphia Wings.

While in college, he signed up on a whim and it ended up saving his life.

“Because science has advanced so far, the fact that he was able to take my DNA and we have the same DNA is pretty amazing,” Pace said.

“My daughters came up with the name. DNA Brother. He's my DNA brother,” Mix said.

After a year of waiting, Pace and Mix have learned each other's names and now spend time together at games.

“It's unbelievable. I feel blessed to be on that team,” Pace said.

Mix, who is said to be cancer-free, met with News 8 at the Healing Garden. Sumilow Cancer Hospital.

“This was my sanctuary within Yale,” he said.

He hopes to raise awareness about the registry and encourage others to join.

For him, it marked the beginning of a new life and a unique and special relationship.

“[Alex]is a very humble guy and was really appreciative that he did this for me, and I'm really appreciative that he did it for me,” Mix said. “We totally consider him a part of the family.”

For Pace, donating his organs wasn't too difficult: It was an outpatient procedure that took about seven hours.

click here Learn how to join the registry.