By FireRescue1 Staff
COBB, Ga. — A 30-year veteran firefighter had the opportunity to thank a college student for his selfless, lifesaving action — by being the perfect donor match.
Firefighter Neal Brasfield, 55, was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and found himself in desperate need of a perfect bone marrow donor.
Several months after being diagnosed, Brasfield was matched with 21-year-old college student Justin Hill. Hill joined the “Be the Match” foundation while in college, adding his DNA samples to the national database, which allows cancer patients to look for a match.
The transplant took place in March 2015 in California, where Hill sat for nearly eight hours as doctors drew blood platelets for Brasfield. The bone marrow was then flown to Georgia.
“Yes, it was slightly painful and there was slight discomfort, but for me, the sacrifice is so small to save someone’s life,” Hill told AJC. “Meeting Neal and his family, and knowing it could have been a different story, it is so gratifying.”
Hill and Brasfield met for the first time earlier this month at a special ceremony for those who have been successfully matched with a bone marrow or cord blood donor.
“I gave him the hardest hug,” Brasfield said. “I have been waiting for this day for a long time.”
Five months after receiving the bone marrow donation, Brasfield was able to return to work. When he was diagnosed, his colleagues donated blood and their leave time so Brasfield could avoid disability and maintain his full salary.
“I am happy to be alive,” Brasfield said. “Every morning you wake up and you see the sun is shining, you feel blessed.