Mount Kisco grandfather meets lifesaving stem cell donor in London
Harvey Gorrin was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia and told a stem cell transplant was his best hope for survival. He turned to the nonprofit DKMS donor registry for help.
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A Mount Kisco grandfather is celebrating a second chance at life — thanks to a stranger from across the Atlantic.
Harvey Gorrin, an 81-year-old retired physician and grandfather of seven, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia and told a stem cell transplant was his best hope for survival.
While his children volunteered to donate, doctors explained that nearly 70% of blood cancer patients require an unrelated donor. Gorrin turned to the nonprofit DKMS donor registry for help.
His match was Lucy Ward, a 33-year-old from the United Kingdom. When she received the call, she didn’t hesitate.
“You can’t really quantify the feeling that you have from giving someone the opportunity of another go at life," she said.
Ward says donating carried special meaning after losing her grandmother to lymphoma.
Recently, Gorrin traveled to London to meet the woman who helped save his life. He is filled with gratitude.
“I would make a plea for as many people as can donate stem cells and do what Lucy did for me. It would save somebody else's life. And I would make a plea to anybody who is considering this, to just do it,” he said.
Harvey now hopes others will consider joining the registry.
The DKMS donor registry is free and open to anyone who wishes to sign up. For more information, click here.
