In November, Project Life Movement (PLM) hosted its Fall Philanthropy Lunch at the Duke Mansion. This was a special luncheon where members of the Charlotte corporate community gathered to learn about PLM’s mission of building the global stem cell and marrow registry. Cathy Bessant, CEO of Foundation for the Carolinas, was the keynote speaker.
Attendees of this luncheon had the opportunity to witness something truly special – the meeting of a donor and his stem cell transplant recipient.
Sammy, an alumnus of Wofford College, joined the registry in 2019 when PLM spoke at a Student Athlete Advisory Committee meeting. Two years later, he was called and told that he was the miracle match for Roberta, a leukemia patient in need of a lifesaving transplant. Excited for the opportunity to donate his stem cells for her, Sammy said yes to the call.
After a successful transplant, the two were able to contact one another, but with Roberta living in Michigan and Sammy in North Carolina, they were unable to meet face-to-face. Project Life Movement was thrilled to provide this opportunity, where these two individuals who made such a positive impact on one another’s life could meet.
During this luncheon, Project Life Movement national ambassador and emcee, Luke Kuechly, talked with Sammy about his donation experience, while Roberta was waiting just outside of the room with her son. When Roberta entered, the room erupted with applause as she laid eyes on the man who saved her life. The two shared a long embrace, filling everyone with the emotions of what this meeting meant. Roberta then shared her experience of waiting for a donor, finally finding one, and being given a second chance at life. She profusely thanked Sammy for his willingness to donate his stem cells and meet her, but Sammy was equally grateful for the opportunity to do so.
After this emotional meeting, the attendees enjoyed a fireside chat between Cathy Bessant, former PLM board chair Steve Luquire, and Project Life Movement Executive Director, Ann Henegar. They discussed the importance and urgency of the work that Project Life Movement does, and ways for individual attendees to make an impact.