Original story published 2024-09-08 18:54:58
STORY SUMMARY
In a heartwarming reunion in Miami, Neris Montenegro, 36, met Steven Metler, the man who saved her life with a stem cell donation. Back in 2021, Neris experienced severe leg pain but received no diagnosis for months until she was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Struggling with isolation during her hospital stay due to COVID-19, Neris underwent chemotherapy, but the cancer returned. She urgently needed a stem cell transplant, leading to a match with Steven, who had registered as a donor nearly a decade earlier with DKMS while living in North Carolina. After donating the life-saving cells, Steven and Neris finally met in person, forming a lifelong bond with deeply emotional gratitude.
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In Miami, an emotional reunion occurred between Neris Montenegro, a 36-year-old leukemia survivor, and Steven Metler, the man whose stem cell donation saved her life. This extraordinary meeting marked the culmination of an incredible journey that began when Neris, after suffering severe leg pain and numerous misdiagnoses, was eventually diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she endured 45 isolating days in the hospital where her treatment took place, including a tumultuous round of chemotherapy that unfortunately resulted in a relapse.
Desperate for a life-saving stem cell transplant, Neris’s hope arrived in the form of Steven, a registered donor with DKMS, a stem cell donation center. Although Steven had signed up nearly a decade ago and since moved from North Carolina, he promptly responded to the call for his donation, which ultimately matched perfectly with Neris’s needs. This fortuitous match led to a successful transplant, greatly contributing to her recovery and ensuring she survived her near-fatal relapse.
More than a year after the life-saving procedure, the two met for the first time in Miami. The meeting was filled with heartfelt gratitude and emotions as they, along with their families, celebrated the extraordinary bond they now share. Both Neris and Steven expressed deep appreciation for the chance to connect, highlighting the profound impact of organ and tissue donation on saving lives and creating lasting ties between strangers.
