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When Doug Woods, a student at the University of South Carolina, swabbed his cheek at a sorority philanthropy event, he thought it was just a simple act of kindness—one that would likely go unnoticed. The event offered free cheek swabs to register potential donors for a national bone marrow registry, encouraging students to sign up. Little did he know, this small gesture would lead to a life-changing moment.
Weeks later, Doug received a call that left him speechless: He was a match for someone in critical need of a stem cell transplant. “I couldn’t believe it,” Doug recalls. His mom had been registered as a donor for years but was never called as a match.
Across the country, Gina Poirier, a mother from Plain City, Utah, faced a life-altering diagnosis: myelofibrosis. Her best chance for survival was a stem cell transplant, but when her family members were tested, none were a match. The news was devastating—until she received a glimmer of hope.
“Then they told me there was a match—a complete stranger.”
That stranger was Doug.
The Science Behind the Match
Stem cell transplants play a vital role in treating blood disorders like leukemia and other life-threatening conditions. Often called the body’s “parent” cells, stem cells produce all blood cells. Receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor like Doug offers patients like Gina a potentially curative treatment when other options are limited.
There are two main types of stem cell transplants, distinguished by the source of the stem cells:
Bone marrow transplant: Stem cells are collected directly from the donor’s bone marrow, a method often preferred for unrelated donors due to a lower risk of rejection-related complications.
Peripheral blood stem cell transplant: Stem cells are collected from the donor’s bloodstream, a method more commonly used when the donor is a sibling or family member.
“The generosity of donors like Doug is what makes this lifesaving process possible,” says Daniel R. Couriel, MD, MS, MBA, medical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and a tenured associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies with the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah.
The Day They Met
While donors typically remain anonymous, Gina and Doug connected virtually before deciding to meet in person. Years after Gina’s successful transplant, they agreed it was time to finally meet face-to-face.
At the airport, emotions ran high as Gina embraced the man who had given her a second chance at life. During their visit to Salt Lake City, they toured the unit where Gina had recovered from her bone marrow transplant in 2019 at Huntsman Cancer Institute. They also visited the Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Program, where Doug’s cells were stored before being transported to Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Cellular Therapy Program for Gina’s transplant.
“If it wouldn’t have been for Doug, I don’t know if I’d be here today,” Gina shares. “I want people to know that a match can come from anyone—even someone you’ve never met. There are so many people waiting for a match. I hope Doug’s story inspires others to register as donors.”
Doug was equally moved by the experience. “Seeing Gina healthy and happy was the best gift I could’ve asked for. I’m so grateful I had the chance to help her,” he says.
Make a Difference
Dr. Couriel emphasizes the critical need for more donors to join the registry. Each year, thousands of patients like Gina wait for a match that could save their lives. Becoming a donor is simple: A cheek swab is all it takes to start the process. To learn more about becoming a stem cell donor, visit Huntsman Cancer Institute’s donation page.
For Gina, Doug’s selflessness meant celebrating more birthdays and living a full life. For Doug, it’s a reminder of the power of compassion and the profound connections that can form between strangers.
This heartwarming story of courage, generosity, and hope serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest act—like swabbing your cheek— and then talking to your doctor and making an informed choice to donate if it’s right for you can make an extraordinary difference in someone’s life.
The Risks and Sacrifices of Being a Donor
While becoming a stem cell donor is a noble and lifesaving act, it is important to understand the potential risks and sacrifices. The donation process can be physically demanding and may involve several medical procedures.
Donors may experience side effects such as fatigue, pain, and discomfort during and after the donation. Additionally, there are potential risks associated with the medical procedures, including infection and complications from anesthesia. It is crucial for potential donors to be fully informed and to consult with their health care providers to make an informed decision about whether donation is right for them.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.