A Stranger's Donation Cured 9/11 Firefighter's Cancer

On Sept. 11, 2001, as the whole world watched the tragedy unfolding at the World Trade Center, New York firefighter Brian Kevan rushed to the scene to help. Like many others who responded that terrible day, Brian developed cancer because of exposure to noxious chemicals, dust, asbestos and more. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2019.

Brian underwent treatment, but the cancer kept recurring. His last, best hope for a cure was a blood stem cell transplant — if he could find a donor. None of his family members were a suitable match. That's not as uncommon as it may sound. Approximately 70% of patients who need a transplant don't have a fully matched donor in their family. Through NMDP (formerly Be The Match), which manages the world's most diverse blood stem cell registry, Brian found a matching donor and underwent a blood stem cell transplant in November 2021.

Two years later, Brian, now free from cancer, met Ryan Crooker, his life-saving donor. Ryan was a college football player at Springfield College in Massachusetts when he joined the NMDP Registry in 2014 with a simple cheek swab. Seven years later, he got the call asking him to donate his regenerative blood-forming stem cells to help cure cancer and save a life. He selflessly said, "Yes."

The story of these two men is unique, but it's not unusual. For nearly four decades, the global nonprofit NMDP has impacted more than 130,000 lives through cell therapy — giving a second chance at life to patients around the world.

This year, on World Marrow Donor Day, Sept. 21, 2024, NMDP will honor the community of recipients, donors and supporters they've built over the last 37 years with a free, nationwide event series, NMDP Unite: a celebration to find cures and save lives, for people facing blood cancers and disorders. Fundraising is encouraged, and all proceeds raised will go toward programs critical to NMDP's life-saving mission, including patient assistance grants, research to help more transplant recipients like Brian thrive, and efforts to continue to grow the registry.

When it comes to transplant, finding a suitable donor match is critical — but it's not the only challenge patients face. "The financial burden continues to be the number one barrier for patients and families coming to us in need of a transplant," said Joy King, Chief Advancement Officer for NMDP. "It presents an enormous challenge, and we are committed to helping them overcome this barrier. The funds we raise through NMDP Unite will help thousands of families with loved ones going through treatment each year."

NMDP Unite will be held in Los Angeles, New York City and at NMDP's World Headquarters in Minneapolis. Minnesota Timberwolves Center Naz Reid will be greeting fans in the Twin Cities; Olympic gold medalist and professional women's basketball player Breanna Stewart will join Brian and others in New York and three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas will celebrate in LA. Thanks to sponsors GVHD Alliance and Innovative Office Solutions attendees can enjoy music, food and fun while mingling with other families, donors, doctors — and so many other mission supporters from the NMDP community.

"I'm passionate about NMDP because their mission is close to my heart. I lost my mentor, Rudy Roundtree, to blood cancer a few years ago and want to do everything I can to honor his legacy," Reid said. "I hope people will come out, have some fun and help raise money for a good cause."

If you're not in one of the three event cities, you can share in the celebration digitally. Join NMDP and the movement to save lives, find cures and give families the gift of more time with loved ones. For more information and to register for free today, visit www.nmdp.org/Unite.