Firefighters Honored for Donating Bone Marrow, One Reunited with Recipient

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Alise Mareerose Williams may just be 6-years-old, but she's already experienced more than most adults.

The young girl from Evansdale, Iowa, had two open heart surgeries by the time she was 16-months-old, after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect when she was 2-months-old. Then, during a hospital stay, the young girl's blood tests indicated that she had a rare genetic disorder called Fanconi anemia, and her family was told she someday would need a bone marrow transplant to survive.

Her doctors searched the National Bone Marrow Registry in September 2008, and found three perfect matches for Alise - something that almost never happens. On Feb. 4, 2009, she received the transplant.

Now, although her fight is not over, Alise's health continues to improve.

The perfect match for Alise was 37-year-old Firefighter James Wildes from New York City's Engine 162.

The firefighter signed up to be a donor in 2002, when he was at the Fire Academy.

When the Registry called him, telling him he was a potential match, he said he was thrilled he could help and did not hesitate to be tested further. He donated his stem cells at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital on Feb. 3, 2009.

Almost exactly three years later, the two met for the first time during the eighth Honor Roll of Life induction ceremony at FDNY Headquarters on Jan. 25.

Six other firefighters' names also were added to the Honor Roll plaque during the ceremony for their bone marrow and stem cell donations in 2011, including Lt. Salvatore Belmonte, Lt. Joseph P. Collins, Lt. Michael Kimball, FF Kyle Esquirol, FF Joseph Bordt and FF Francis Morrisey. There currently are 140 FDNY members' names on the plaque - some of whom have donated several times.

"This is one of the most exciting events that we celebrate each year," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. "These FDNY members gave a part of themselves to save the life of someone else."

Republished with permission of the New York City Fire Department. View original article here.



Author:Emily Rahimi - PIO - FDNY