Alabama Girl Saved by Bone Marrow Donor Who Forgot She Registered

💔 When Everything Changed

In September 2022, Sophie Cromer was a typical energetic 6-year-old. But her parents, Candace and her husband, began noticing worrying changes. Sophie would get worn out quickly and had dark circles around her eyes. Then came the bruising.

"We took her to the pediatrician, they immediately sent us here," Candace said, referring to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham. Sophie spent the weekend undergoing tests and imaging.

The initial relief was short-lived: Sophie didn't have leukemia. But a few weeks later, doctors delivered devastating news: Sophie had severe aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder where bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells.

🩸 A Rare and Serious Condition

Severe aplastic anemia affects only 300 to 900 people in the United States each year, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition causes:

• Fatigue and shortness of breath (low red blood cells)
• Increased infection risk (low white blood cells)
• Unexplained bruising (low platelets)
• Headaches and fever

While doctors can treat symptoms, a bone marrow transplant is the only cure.

😢 The First Disappointment

The Cromers felt hopeful that Sophie's older sister would be a match for the transplant. But when the test results came back, the news was crushing: her sister wasn't a match.

"We were very upset. We didn't know what our options were from there," Candace said.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), only 25% of patients have a fully matched donor in their immediate family. The remaining 75% must rely on finding a stranger willing to donate.

"Fifty percent of the DNA of the child is from the parent, so the likelihood that there would be a match to the point that it wouldn't be rejected from the parent is really small," explained Dr. Eric Griggs, a health educator for Access Health Louisiana.

✍️ A College Freshman's Decision

Meanwhile, 1,000 miles away in Louisiana, Maycie Fuselier was starting her first day at McNeese State University. On campus, she saw a donor registry drive and made a quick decision: she signed up to become a bone marrow donor.

"I swabbed my cheek and honestly forgot about it," Fuselier later admitted.

That simple act would save Sophie's life — but first, Fuselier nearly missed her chance to help.

📬 The Letter She Almost Threw Away

Three years after registering, Fuselier received a letter in the mail. At first glance, she thought it was junk mail and almost discarded it.

"Then I opened it and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I forgot I did this,'" Fuselier said.

The letter informed her that she was a perfect bone marrow match for a critically ill child.

Fuselier's experience is surprisingly common. A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that "limited contact with registry staff is strongly associated with opting out of the registry." Many potential donors lose touch with the registry over time.

But NMDP has systems in place to track down donors when they're needed. "We move mountains," said Erica Sevilla, an NMDP spokesperson. "We'll search social media. We ask individuals to provide another contact, and oftentimes we'll reach people through a parent, especially college students because they are moving a lot."

🏥 The Life-Saving Transplant

Once Fuselier understood what was at stake, she didn't hesitate. She agreed to donate her bone marrow.

Four months after Sophie's diagnosis, she received her transplant.

The procedure was a success. Sophie's body accepted the transplant, and slowly, her bone marrow began producing the blood cells she desperately needed.

😭 The Tearful Reunion

More than two years after the transplant, Sophie — now a healthy 9-year-old — met the young woman who saved her life.

The reunion was emotional. Sophie hugged Maycie, tears streaming down both their faces. Candace Cromer said her daughter not only has a second chance at life thanks to Fuselier, but their family has also gained a lifelong friend.

"Maycie gave us the greatest gift imaginable," Candace said. "She gave us more time with our daughter."

💪 How You Can Help

The National Marrow Donor Program maintains a registry of more than 9 million potential donors in the U.S. and connects with 42 million donors worldwide.

You can join if you:

• Are between ages 18 and 40
• Are in good health

Important to know:

• All costs are covered — including travel expenses
• The donation process is safe and supervised by medical professionals
• You could save a life — 75% of patients need an unrelated donor

To register, call 1-800-MARROW-2 or visit NMDP.org to find a donor center near you.