CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A 39-year-old local father and Marine veteran is waiting for a stem cell transplant as he fights blood cancer, and his family is asking the public to consider joining a donor registry to see if they could be a match.
Joe Fey has been receiving care at Oncology Hematology Care at the Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health as doctors prepare his body to receive donor stem cells.
A 39-year-old local father and Marine veteran is waiting for a stem cell transplant as he fights blood cancer, and his family is asking the public to consider joining a donor registry to see if they could be a match. (WKRC, Provided)
“So, I’ve been here for 23 days,” Fey said.
Stem cells can take on the properties of other cells, and a successful transplant can help replace Fey’s bone marrow. Dr. AG Galal, OHC director of stem cell transplant and a specialist in cellular therapy, said, “So in the Caucasian population, it’s almost 75 percent to find a match.”
Fey’s wife, Laura Fey, said her husband’s determination has been central to the family’s ability to keep going.
“If it wasn’t for him wanting to fight, we wouldn’t be here,” said Laura Fey.
Joe Fey said he has long been prepared for difficult challenges.
A 39-year-old local father and Marine veteran is waiting for a stem cell transplant as he fights blood cancer, and his family is asking the public to consider joining a donor registry to see if they could be a match. (Provided)
“I joined the Marine Corps on my 18th birthday,” said Joe Fey.
Galal said a match does not have to come from a relative. “There actually is a higher chance to be a match not being a family member, believe it or not,” said Galal.
Fey and his family, including his 6-year-old daughter, Haley, are encouraging people to get tested.
A cheek swab can be used to join a donor registry online and determine whether someone could be a match. While younger male donors are considered ideal, all volunteers are welcome, and research shows cells from younger donors can make a difference in survival.
