Lacey Edwards is a sophomore at Clemson University studying elementary education and a member of Alpha Delta Pi. In the fall of 2023 at a chapter meeting, two Gift of Life campus ambassadors gave a presentation about the registry and allowed anyone that was interested to sign up. Lacey had never heard of the registry before, but decided that she wanted to join. A few months later, in March of 2024, she first received the call that she was a match to donate her stem cells for a blood cancer patient. When we asked why she decided to donate, Lacey stated “Why wouldn’t I do it?” This donation was also sentimental for Lacey, as her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, and she would want someone to donate for her if they matched.
Leading up to the donation, Lacey and her family decided to sit down and watch informative videos on the registry together to learn more about the process that she would be going through. She had many questions about what the donation would entail, but said that the videos helped to answer many of the questions. She also spoke with her donor coordinator to find out more information on the process.
Lacey’s patient was not yet ready to receive a transplant, but four months later, she got the call that they were all set to proceed with the donation. In July, Lacey flew to the Gift of Life Headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida with her mother, ready to save a life.
During her donation, Lacey recalls looking up at the bag of her stem cells being collected and thought, “I cannot believe this small bag is going to save someone’s life.” Reflecting on her donation, Lacey told us that it was such an easy way to save the life of a patient. She thinks that the older she gets, the more she will continue to feel the impact of what she was able to do for not only her patient, but also for their families and loved ones.