Photo By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Johnson | Senior Airman Morgan Breaux, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection apprentice,...... read more read more
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The chance to save a life isn’t an everyday occurrence, but through a program called Salute to Life, Department of Defense members and dependents can volunteer to potentially be a part of that opportunity.
Using the program, an Airman from Barksdale matched with a patient diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and donated stem cells in an effort to save her life.
“The only reason I signed up was for the opportunity to help someone in need,” said Senior Airman Morgan Breaux, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase inspection apprentice. “I am a firm believer in the fact that it is the responsibility of those who have the ability to help, to do so.”
In November 2018, he was notified that he was a potential match for a recipient.
“I was nervous of course, not knowing what the procedure would entail,” said Breaux. “The prospect too, was a little daunting, but knowing you could be the difference between life and death for someone is humbling to say the least.”
Once a donor is deemed a potential match the journey doesn’t end there. The chances of being completely compatible with a recipient are still rare, so more tests are required.
“Anybody can walk into the lab and sign up, but there’s only a one in 500 chance you are selected as a match.” said Senior Airman Sabrina LaFlame, 2nd Medical Group laboratory technician. “You can initially match with someone, but then get the blood work done and not be compatible.”
Breaux was confirmed as a complete match for a recipient and was flown to Virginia in February 2019 to donate stem cells. There are two different methods for donation, since Breaux’s recipient was diagnosed with a blood disease, he completed a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell donation. The procedure required him to receive several injections over the course of five days to raise his white blood cell count.
After the injections were completed, the cells were removed over several hours using an apheresis machine, a type of blood screening device. Although the process may seem daunting, Breaux still encourages others to register.
“Don’t expect it to be super easy. Don’t expect yourself to be super comfortable,” said Breaux. “There’s going to be a little pain, a little discomfort, but ultimately that shouldn’t be something to turn you away from it.”
“I believe this life is a gift, and if you can ensure someone else gets to keep a gift like that what reason could you have for avoiding it,” he added.
According to the National Marrow Donor Program, 70 percent of patients who need a transplant do not have a fully matched donor in their family. This means these patients require an unrelated donor.
“This program is important because as people I feel like it’s our job to look out for one another, and if you let an opportunity like this go-by-the-wayside I feel like you are really missing out,” said Breaux “Our goal should be to help as often as we can in as many ways possible in order to make this world better, and what better way to do that than trying to save a life.”
The program is only possible through volunteers registering to donate. Visit the 2nd Bomb Wing laboratory or visit www.salutetolife.org for more information.
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2019 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 320276 |
| Location: | LA, US |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Barksdale Airmen exemplifies service before self, by SSgt Cassandra Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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