Sacrifice Billboard

The procedure is dangerous and very painful, but I knew it was the right thing to do.”  Brooks Dame

In High School, Brooks Dame had a friend named Jessica who was diagnosed with Lupus. Thanks to generous donors, Jessica's life was spared. That experience really stuck with Brooks. He said, "I had grown up with Jessica and it really got me thinking. There are a lot of people in this world that need a hand or help in one form or another. If I was sick and someone could donate bone marrow to help save my life, I'd really appreciate that. I've just been so blessed with small little miracles throughout my life that I thought maybe I could help someone out with a small little miracle of their own." A few years later, Brooks decided to get over his fear of needles and sign up for the bone marrow registry.

A year went by before Brooks received the fateful phone call informing him they had found a match for his bone marrow. The man in need was in his 30's, had a wife and a few small children, and was desperately fighting a battle with Leukemia. Brooks said, "I was nervous, but I thought a lot about that man. This was his last chance at surviving, which really helped me make the decision to donate."

After a series of tests (and more needles), Brooks flew to a hospital in Denver for the bone marrow donation. He said, "The procedure is dangerous and very painful, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I had a rather speedy recovery and the more I thought about that man and his family, the more I hoped that my small sacrifice, in some way, made a difference."