Aspirus Emergency Department Nurse Reflects on Her Be the Match Experience
2/14/2025
Kristie Falk, Aspirus Emergency Department Nurse
Observed every year
on February 14, National Donor Day is a time to focus on all types of donations
– organ, eye, tissue, blood, platelets and marrow. It’s a day designed to help
save and heal more lives by sharing information about the importance of donation.
As an Emergency
Department (ED) Nurse at Aspirus Langlade Hospital, Kristie Falk exemplifies
the spirit of selflessness and compassion of the nursing profession. Beyond her
daily commitment to patient care, she extended her dedication to saving lives
by participating in the “Be The Match” (BTM) program.
“We were made aware
of this program seven to eight years ago when a member of my son's hockey team
was diagnosed with leukemia,” said Falk. “As they were considering treatment
options, they shared information on the ‘Be The Match’ program and I signed up
with the thought of possibly helping someone someday.”
BTM, operated by the
National Marrow Donor Program, is a global leader in facilitating bone marrow
and stem cell transplants. The organization connects patients with
life-threatening blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, to potential
donors. Joining the registry involves a simple cheek swab, but the decision to
donate is profound, requiring both physical and emotional commitment.
What started as a
desire to make a difference beyond her immediate environment of working in the
ED, Kristie already understood the critical need for donors, especially for
patients without matching family members.
“We give blood to
people daily and it comes from people like us. If people don't donate, patients
don't get it and I would tell those who are on the fence about being a donor to
go for it,” said Falk. “You're giving someone a second chance at life, it makes
you feel really good and it’s rewarding.”
Kristie’s donor
journey took another turn last August.
"I was told,
‘you're a match for a 47-year-old female that lives in the United States, she
has acute myeloid leukemia,’ and that's all I knew,” said Falk.
After some follow-up
testing and preparation, she was off to New York City to complete the donation
of stem cells which took place in a whirlwind three-day span.
“I knew if I was in
the same situation, I would want someone to do this for me or my family and
would be eternally grateful,” said Falk.
Kristie’s story
serves as an inspiration to her colleagues and the broader community. It
emphasizes the profound impact one individual can have through acts of kindness
and generosity. Her experience also sheds light on the importance of BTM and
other donor programs and the ongoing need for donors.
For those interested
in following Kristie’s example, joining BTM is straightforward. Potential
donors can visit the organization's website, complete a health questionnaire,
and provide a cheek swab sample. By doing so, they become part of a global
network committed to offering hope and healing to patients battling
life-threatening diseases.
Aspirus Health
encourages people to consider registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor
if you haven’t done so already.
National Donor Day
is also a day to recognize those who have given and received the gift of life
through organ, eye and tissue donation; are currently waiting for a lifesaving
transplant; and those who died waiting because an organ was not donated in time.
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