HHSA Employee Saves Stranger’s Life

Velia Fematt has donated about 10 gallons of blood.

She has donated blood most of her life. Now 53, Velia Fematt has been doing it since she was 18.

So when in 1995, Fematt was asked to donate an extra vial to submit to the national bone marrow registry, she did not think twice about it.

She registered and heard nothing about it for almost a decade. But about 9 years ago, Fematt got a call that changed her life and the life of a stranger forever.

It turns out Fematt’s blood stem cells were a perfect match for a woman in Florida who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cancer of the lymph tissue.

Fematt wanted to share her story as the County gets ready to launch its annual blood and bone marrow drive next week. Joining the registry these days requires no more than a mouth swab. And Fematt says we all have blood and our donation can help save a life. Hers did.

Back to the story.

After the woman’s diagnosis, she learned she would require high doses of chemotherapy and radiation to kill cancer cells. The problem is they can also destroy the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Transplants are used to restore the stem cells when the bone marrow has been destroyed. 

The bone marrow registry tested the woman’s two daughters, but neither was a good match. Her father was too old to be considered.

Fematt was the perfect match on all six stem cell markers. She agreed to be a donor, but first she had to go through a battery of blood tests to make sure she was healthy and still a match. Days before the harvest, she was given injections to help her produce more stem cells. She was in discomfort and pain, but her resolve to be a donor never wavered.

“She was only 58. She had her whole life ahead of her. She had grandchildren. How could I not be a donor?” said Fematt, who has worked for the County for 25 years, 23 of those with the Health and Human Services Agency. “My father always donated blood, and I am sure if he had been a match he would have donated stem cells or bone marrow if needed.   It’s something we have that is free to give and also my way to honor my father.”

The woman’s age, her name and other aspects her life are details Fematt would find out after her donation since the bone marrow registry forbids any contact between donor and recipient for at least one year and facilitates an interaction only when both parties agree to connect with each other.

Fematt finally did get in touch with Marilyn Halberg-Diem, 67. They’ve become friends on Facebook and maintain contact via email or phone.

Halberg-Diem said she tried to stay positive throughout her ordeal, but when she learned the registry had found a donor, she tried to take “it sort of matter of fact.”

Her brother died from AIDS. Her mother had died from cancer. Her husband did too.

But, she said, deep down, she was thrilled.

“I was very happy that they did get a match,” said Halberg-Diem from her home in Delray Beach, Florida. “I knew I could go forward with my life.”

Halberg-Diem is now cancer free and enjoying her life with her two daughters and two grandchildren. She got emotional when asked why she opted to meet her donor, but said that is something she knew she wanted and would try to do from the moment she learned they had found a match.

“She saved my life. I wanted to thank her for being so compassionate and understanding. For giving me hope and for giving me a life,” said Halberg-Diem.

Fematt was contacted by the bone marrow registry about a second donation and she agreed once again. The registry later found a better match but if contacted again, Fematt said she would donate blood or stem cells every time she is called.

“I would do it in a second. You always hope that it’s not going to be your niece, nephew, child of family member who will need the blood,” Fematt said.  “Your gift could really make the difference. That’s somebody’s family or loved one.”

For more information about the blood drive or to sign up, visit the County Employee Blood Drive Web page or the San Diego Blood Bank website or call 1-800-MY-4SDBB (469-7322). For info on the marrow registry, contact Shelley Baker at Be The Match at 714-296-8479 (cell) or sbaker@nmdp.org or visit the organization’s website.