Corpus Christi bishop donates bone marrow to save a mother's life

Corpus Christi, Texas, Nov 9, 2019 / 14:01 pm

This week, Bishop Michael Mulvey of Corpus Christi reflected on bone marrow donations and the life of the mother whom he helped save.

Before he became a bishop, Michael Mulvey joined the Be the Match Registry, the world's largest register for bone marrow transplants (BMT), which is run by the National Marrow Donor Program.

After the organization discovered a match, South Texas Catholic reported, Mulvey, 70, traveled to San Antonio to make a peripheral stem cell donation. He had matched with a mother who had been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer.

Although Mulvey has never met the woman, he said he was humbled by the experience and expressed gratitude to be able to contribute to the well-being of this mother and her family.

"Knowing that because of the life I have been given by God – I was able to give back and make a big difference in this person's life, in the life of her children and her family is something I have thought of quite often," he told South Texas Catholic Nov. 5.

Mulvey said he was introduced to Be the Match in 2004, while he was a priest of the Diocese of Austin. There, he had met Leticia Mondragon, a donor development and engagement specialist with GenCure who partners with Be the Match.

"When I was assigned in Austin years ago, one of our very charitable and active parishioners was signing up people for Be the Match," said Bishop Mulvey, according to South Texas Catholic. "I appreciated her commitment and dedication to this cause, and after hearing more about the registry, I signed up."

BMT replaces unhealthy bone marrow with healthy marrow from an outside source. The procedure is used to cure cancers in the blood as well as diseases in the bones and immune system. Among other illnesses, BMT has been used for leukemia, aplastic anemia, and sickle cell disease.

According to South Texas Catholic, Mondragon said the process to sign up is more convenient than in the past, noting that people may apply through their smartphone.

Unlike blood donations, a match for BMT does not focus on blood type, but ethnicity. Mondragon expressed hope that the new system will add more "people of all ethnic backgrounds" to the registry.

She stressed the importance of BMT donors, stating that life-threatening disorders are discovered every few minutes, and thanked the bishop for his contribution.

"Every three minutes someone is diagnosed with a life-threatening blood cancer or blood disorder, such as leukemia or lymphoma," said Mondragon, according to South Texas Catholic.

"We are thankful Bishop Mulvey wanted to share his story because it is so important that we have leaders like him promoting our global life-saving mission," she further added.

Bishop Mulvey described the experience not only as an opportunity for charity but as a spiritual encounter.

"St. Matthew says what you have received as a gift, give as a gift," said Bishop Mulvey, South Texas Catholic reported. "We must always remember that everyone's life is a gift and true gratitude is expressed when you are willing to give back and share what you have."