After months of waiting for a potential marrow donor, 24-year-old Moneet “Money” Mann, a student from Brampton, Canada, has finally received news of a match.
Mann took to Facebook and Twitter yesterday to express her gratitude for those who have supported her and registered as potential marrow donors. She posted this update to her official Facebook campaign page, Will You Marrow Me?:
“Today marks the HAPPIEST DAY of my lifeee (sic), all because someone in this world is a MATCH! That’s right I HAVE FOUND MY DONOR!!!! I can’t seem to come up with the words right now to express how I am feeling, just SOOOO grateful, happy, blessed, thankful to everyone who has showed so much love and support and for those who have been getting registered all across the globe! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I would love to thank that one individual who is my match but unfortunately I don’t know who they are and will not know one year from post-transplant, on that day I will travel near or far to meet the individual who is saving my life!!!! Again I can’t seem to control my emotions, as this is the BEST NEWS EVERRR!!! I feel SO blessed, and hope that all the awareness we have raised does not stop here because there are still SO many patients waiting for their match, and I would love for them to feel the same excitement as I am right now!! Lets keep the momentum going folks!!”
With the help of family and friends, Mann started the Will You Marrow Me? campaign shortly after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last October. The campaign helped strike up conversations and dispel myths surrounding bone marrow donations. It also picked up steam on social media through the use of hashtags #ForTheLoveofMoney and #WillYouMarrowMe.
“I hope more families can feel the same relief and happiness my family felt. It is an amazing feeling, and honestly don’t have the words to express my gratitude,” Mann told The Aerogram.
Even though Mann has found a match, the search isn’t over for the many cancer patients in need of a donor. She hopes to continue to spread awareness and help keep the momentum going through her campaign. “The Will You Marrow Me? campaign will not stop here, my family and I will do what we can to help others in need. I know exactly what you are going through and one day wish you and your families can feel the same way we are today,” she continued.
Mann hopes to meet her donor someday so she can thank the person who saved her life and helped her resume her dreams:
“To my donor: Thank you so much. I don’t know where in this world you are, but when the day comes that I can contact you, I will travel near or far to show you just how much happiness you have brought into my life.”
Monica Luhar is a freelance journalist, web producer and social media editor in Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter: @monicaluhar
