Inspiring messages about the show

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• Great episode showing how easy it is to get "swabbed" and potentially save a life. I have been on the match list for almost 20 years and my kids were very curious about what my role would ever be in case I matched someone who needed a donation. The episode showed them the power of donating.
  
  
• It was heartwarming.  So true that Tom saved not only Joey's life but her 3 children still have a mother and her husband has his beloved wife.  It was incredible the outpouring for the Be the Match Bone Marrow registry in their home town and at the San Francisco baseball game.  Tom is very humble, he needs to realize he is a true hero, then to also help build the new house.  It was great that Tom and Joey got to meet.  Godspeed.
  
  
• Stott Family - your strength and courage inspire me. Tom - your compassion for others humbles me. Thank you for sharing your story. (p.s. I never knew that sheep could jump so high!)
  
  
• That was the most inspirational episode of Extreme Home Makeover I have ever seen. Tom Wilhelm is a hero, and The Stotts are a wonderful family. I am glad to be signed up on the donor registry. Thank you.
  
  
• This story lies close to my heart, my brother was the recipient of a bone marrow transplant thanks to a stranger.  I appreciate the generosity from Tom and look forward to being able to help someone someday myself.  I am so happy for Joey and her family that things worked out with the transplant and wish you many years of happiness together!  Thanks to ABC for publicizing the need for addtional donors and bringing this important cause to the public.
  
  
• As a former marrow donor and passionate marrow advocate, I thought the entire hour was perfect for Marrow awareness. Thank you, Joey & family & Tom and especially ABC for supporting this cause.
  
  
• What a joy to watch the episode with Joey and Tom.  I am on the registry and it made me want to donate even MORE!!
  
  
• Tom is a hero!  His poise and willingness to do the right thing without needing or wanting the spotlight is refreshing.  Thanks to Disney for sending his family on a vacation, too!
  
  
• Great episode, which I only happened to stumble upon while flipping channels during the Patriots/Colts game!  Had me in tears thinking about my own family's experience with a life-saving bone marrow transplant and our long awaited, emotional meeting with the donor.  As someone in the entertainment business, I can attest that using entertainment to get the message out on a cause like this is a great strategy.  And it makes me even more anxious to repay the kindness a stranger showed to my family by making a stem cell/bone marrow donation myself.  I eagerly await that call.  Keep up the great work!
  
  
• Last night's episode was so moving and special!  I do not generally watch this show, but did make sure I tuned in last night and I definitely was not disappointed.  I cried and cried and was so happy for Joey and her family and so proud of Tom and so proud to work where I do!!!!!!  It's one of those moments that just makes you stop and realize how important our jobs are....literally saving people's lives...and it doesn't matter your position with the company...each person is just as important from the mail guys to the search teams, etc.  Everyone is a part of making this very special gift happen!  Great job by EVERYONE...with the NMDP and all those associated with the show for making this incredible event happen for Joey and her family!!!!!!!
  
  
• It was a very heartwarming story. I wish that there would have been more attention given to the bone marrow drive and the need for bone marrow donors. I wish the Stott family many years of health and peace (especially in their new home). May God watch over you.
  
  
• I sent an email to my staff and to a group that will be holding a drive on 11/22 for their friend.  This morning I had several co-workers ask to sign up because "it's the thing I have to do."  They were motivated by Tom and his reason for joining. By seeing Tom and Joey's story, it has helped many understand the nature of what we do and why we do it. I warned everyone to have Kleenex handy when watching!
  
  
• I thought the story was so well done and a great way to promote the importance of joining the registry, how easy it is, and the impact it has on not just the patient, but their entire family.  Maybe I missed this, but my only disappointment was that I thought at the end of the broadcast there would have been a call to action directing people to the website to either join the registry or organize a bone marrow drive.
  
  
• What a great story!  I loved all the hype that joining the registry got.  The show made it seem easy and important.  Now, if only more of us on the registry could be the match!  Tom, what a selfless and priceless gift you gave.  I am forever grateful to my mom's cord blood donor.  Joey, your journey is inspiring.  May you continue to be blessed with good health!
  
  
• Tom, you are a true hero. You reached out to a stranger and gave her life back. What an inspirational story you and Joey share!
  
  
• What a great story! My son has had two bone marrow transplants and we came home from spending the weekend with donor #1 and his family and got to watch this.  I cringed when I saw Joey go into that old house...worried about the mold and germs for her! We had a minor (compared to them) flood right after my son's 2nd transplant and the worry of coming home to wet/mold was awful. I hope that it inspires others to give and see what a difference it makes. We'd try to share our story with as many people as we can because that is what makes it real to others. Best of luck to Joey and Tom.
  
  
• I thought that the whole episode was was extremely awesome!!  It makes me so glad that I decided to get on the registry.  I pray that someday I will have the opportunity to save someones life like Tom was able to do.  That to me would be the most rewarding feeling in the world.  Joey my heart goes to you and your family.  Your faith will carry you through everything that life gives you.  My prayers and thoughts will be with you always. Tom you are a hero and God will reward you. You are Joey's angel.  God love you both!
  
  
• Loved seeing your inspiring story Joey and Tom!!!  I too am a leukemia survivor and had an umbilical cord blood transplant in 2007.  I'll be 2 on December 18th!  Be The Match, continue to do all the wonderful work you are doing in getting the word out.  There is still a great need for donors and the show proved how easy it is to register.
  
  
• It was an absolutely awesome episode and the focus on Be the Match was perfect.  I have been on the donor list for many years and came so close one time several years ago.  When they found a closer match I was so dissapointed. You two have a bond that brings you so close.  You are both blessed to have each other in your lives.  I wish you both health and happiness.
  
  
• The show was so inspiring--my whole family was intrigued (and bawling).  The show did a great service to patients and families in need of transplants everywhere.  (As an aside, this was the first time I'd watched Exteme Makeover and I found a new favorite show).
  
  
• That was inspiring!  What great exposure for the NMDP - I will continue to make sure my family and friends are in the registry!!!   I am hoping to be called someday myself....would love to be a match!  Keep paying it forward!
  
  
• Hello! I enjoyed watching the show last night! I also donated bone marrow to a young 14 yr old boy last February! It was so touching to watch your story and be able to relate. I look forward to the day I can meet my patient and I know he will always have a special place in my heart! I think its important to continue this type of awareness and remind people that it is a small sacrifice for the healthy donor to do something like this and give the gift of life to a person and their family! :) I wish you many healthy and happy years!
  
  
• Of course like many people who watched, I was moved to tears with this story.  I have been on the bone marrow donor list for about 15 years now and a friend of my husbands had this horrible disease and we both went on the list to be donors.  Lisa did find a donor too.  It would give such joy to one day be able to help someone like Joey.  I am glad I watched the show because we moved and it reminded me to update my information so maybe my time is coming soon to finally help.  Joey and Tom, God Bless your family.  I am so happy for you all to have this second chance, finally a happy ending in a world full of very few.
  
  
• God bless Joey and her family. I have been on the donor registry for approximatly 7 or 8 years. I originally registered due to a call within my community for a young high school girl that had no match in her family or friends. I went to a local community center and was bolled over by all the people that turned out to help this young woman.Unfortunately she passed away. I have been notified twice after her passing that I was a match, again, unfortunately both patients passed away before I could donate my marrow. Each time I was so very, very sad. To be a part of the healing of another person can only be the most beautiful gift of all. I try to be a personal advocate for the donor registry, educating my friends and family about how we can each be a part of a wonderful community. "The living giving a part of themselves so that others may live". Extreme Makeover is watched by so many people and you did more educating than I ever thought possible. Thank you, and thank you Joey for sharing your story.
  
  
• I too am on the bone marrow donor list as a donor.  I check all the time, but as to date nobody has requested my services.  I would love to be able to give someone the gift of life as Tom gave to Joey.  It was a great story and I think it should be done a couple of times a year.
  
  
• Joey has weathered many a storm.  She is fortunate to have such a loving family - a son who drew and then made the Cancer-Eating Dragon; a Bone Marrow match.  I loved that she got to meet her donor and that he got to be a part of the home makeover.  That show is the only "extreme" show that I watch.  The team always seems to build a home based on the family's needs and styles.  I loved the wind turbine and the sheep barn re-make to help these folks be the 'Green' people they want to be. Sending Tom & his family was also a surprise - what a nice thing to do.  I am on the Bone Marrow Donor List and think this episode illustrated the ease in donating for the matching.
  
  
• We live near where they did the Extreme Makeover and went to the building site several times.  I Think it was great what Disney and Extreme Makeover did for Tom and his family also.  Great what the show does for families.  Maybe someday I will have the honor of helping someone who needs a transplant also.  Wouldn't think twice about doing it just like Tom.
  
  
• My husband started dialysis in Jan 2008 due to kidney failure.  May 22, 2008, on his birthday, he had his kidney transplant and I was the donor.  We met so many people that were waiting for an organ so we were just blessed that I was a match.  The need for organ and marrow donations is so high and it is heartbreaking to see the need not being met.  With the coverage on the show, hopefully awareness of the need will be realized and will prompt more people to register.  Our best wishes for you and your loved ones continued health.
  
  
• I was overwhelmed by the grace with which Joey Stott was able to accept and fight her cancer. I found myself sobbing as Joey thanked Tom for donating his marrow, and wishing that I could be a match for someone so that I, too, could celebrate the gift of renewed life. Thank you, Joey, for continuing to make people aware of the need for bone marrow donors, both thru your campaign for public awareness, and thru your life as a beautiful, thriving woman. May God continue to bless you with good health and happiness.
  
  
• Beautiful story...I cried the entire time.  My husband underwent an unrelated bone marrow transplant in September.  He is still in the hospital due to severe complications.  I almost lost him three weeks ago. His cancer has devastated our family for the last 2 1/2 years. The transplant is our only hope. I know exactly what this family is going through. Thank God for people like Tom! He is a TRUE hero.
  
  
• Fantastic story and I enjoyed it tremendously.  Hope you all are still doing well.  I donated marrow in 2000 from Philadelphia and it went to Sydney, Australia!  Recipient is doing very well and no signs of leukemia for over 9 1/2 years!  I now volunteer as a bone marrow courier delivering the cells.  Trip 12 last week!
  
  
• I very much enjoyed the show last night. It's my understanding that marrow donors don't often meet the recipients, so it was great to witness the meeting.  The greatest gift!  My sister was a marrow donor and, sadly, the woman died despite the procedure. My sister never knew the woman, but was devastated nonetheless.  Thanks for the good news and may God bless Joey with many more years to be with her family and enjoy her new home.
  
  
• Dear Joey, What an ispirational story.I donated my stem cells to an unrelated woman in Jan 09. I pray everyday that she is well. I hope to meet her like you were able to meet Tom someday. Stay strong.
  
  
• The story of marrow transplant patient Joey Scott and her marrow donor Tom Wilhelm was outstanding! What a magnificent story and a wonderful inspiration to those who don't know about Be The Match.org.  Tom, kudos to you, you are a wonderful person to be the donor for a complete stranger.  And Joey, congratulations on your new life!  You have been so very blessed.  This summer, my family and I registered to be a donor with Be The Match.  A local fireman is suffering from an extremely rare cancer, and at this point, they have not found a match.  It is very sad that there isn't a match for him.  Please pray for him that his match be found soon!
  
  
• What a great episode!  As a fellow donor, I understood what Tom was going through.  The emotions, the tears of joy, the excitment of meeting Joey etc...  Words will never complete the feeling you experience.  I also know the gratitude that comes along with such an honor.  The show was great and I know it touched many lives.  I pray many folks will take the next step and join the registry.  Thank you ABC, Tom, the Stott family and may God bless you all!  Peace.
  
  
• It was a wonderful story and absolutely reafirms my reason for becoming a possible donor.  I loved seeing the donor meet Joey and her family, he did save all of them.  I am proud to be a member of Be The Match.  The person I signed up for lost her battle on Nov. 4th before a match could be found.  I am so happy Joey received hers and it made me feel better knowing she and her family were helped.  I do hope more people sign up after seeing their story.
  
  
• As during other rare occasions when I've been fortunate to be present when a recipient has met a donor, I was moved to tears (as now, even as I recall) when I saw that moment in the broadcast. How wonderfully that captures the emotions for both you, Joey, and your donor. And Tom, your words - that it was simply "the right thing to do" - reflect perfectly the altruism that lives in so many. Best to you both and your families!
  
  
• Watched this show today with my niece, who was so moved and amazed that I was on this registry already (18 years), that she and her boyfriend are planning to join!!  Congratulations on your new home, Tom is an angel isn't he?  Praying for happiness always for you all.
  
  
• We enjoy watching EMHE every week, but especially enjoyed watching a show that highlighted such a great cause.  I truly hope that people everywhere will sign up to be on the registry and get the chance to someday make a difference.  My husband and I have been on the registry for 20 plus years and hope to someday "Be the Match" for someone in need.
  
  
• The program was very touching, she was very lucky to have a great donor. They should of painted the house with Be The Match colors, due to the fact of the show was about her situation.
  
  
• When I first heard of the story airing, I was really hoping there would be lots of coverage about what it means to be a donor and how easy it is to join and potentially save a life. I was truly not disappointed and the show was everything I hoped it would be and more!!!  My seven year old daughter had her life saving bone marrow transplant in September 2008, just a day shy of her 6th birthday. She received her cells from an unrelated 8/8 match and for that we are FOREVER GRATEFUL!  We hope to share a story like yours someday when the time comes to meet our donor.  Congrats on an amazing story and for sharing it with the rest of the world. I cried from start to finish!  You are both heroes in your own special way.  All our love and best wishes for continued success and a healthy life.
  
  
• To Joey, her supportive family and Tom, her bone marrow donor:  What a wonderful experience it was to watch each of you express your own personal gratitude on Sunday. Your new "ultra-green" home and barn is a fitting way to celebrate a life reclaimed by the stunning generousity of a global community.  Seeing Tom glow with the quiet, unnassuming joy of giving life, initially anonymously, was a powerful moment. Likewise, like Joey, I have experienced a similar joy of receiving life from a stranger. When you stop to think about these joys...of giving life and of receiving it...regardless of the circumstances, it is an act that defies words and is often beyond explanation or expectation.  As givers of life, I can only imagine that it is a deed that simply makes one feel good inside to appreciate the value of doing the right thing. As receivers of that life-giving, Joey and I both realize just how comforting it is to be reminded that there are people who truly care about others...friends and strangers alike.  In a society that is often viewed in many negative lights these days, these selfless actions restore faith for many on both sides of the giving-receiving equation. And more are encouraged to join the registry to "Be the Match" because the need is ongoing.  All the best as you begin your new adventure.
  
  
• The story was well done and how great to see Joey and Tom get to meet.  I was glad that your episode made it clear the ease of being tested as a donor, this + the entire show should certainly raise awareness & hopefully there will be more donors. Great job and I wish the Stott family continued health and good fortune. They seem like such a nice family. Also, best wishes to Tom & his family!  If I were younger, I would join the registry. Keep up the good work!
  
  
• My wife was diagnosed with CML in August of 97.  She had a bone marrow transplant in Feb of 98. Her donor was a young man from Germany for which we will be forever grateful so for you two to meet had to be an incredible moment. My wife has communicated with her donor and invited him to this country but does not want to burden us.  A few years after, my wife needed platelets and he was more than willing to assist. It is people like him and Tom who make this a great world. God bless you and Tom.
  
  
• I have been part of the bone marrow registry for 8 or so years now, but have never been called to help someone. A month ago, my 18 year old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL).  She will probably not need a bone marrow transplant, but we are thankful that there are doctors who know how to take care of her disease and yours as well.  She and I are 6 hours away from home in a motel and we loved watching the show Sunday evening.  All of the treatment is very expensive and I thank God that Ty and his group were able to help you and your family.  Your new home and barn is beautiful and will benefit you for years to come! God has blessed you with a wonderful family and wonderful friends.  May He continue to enrich your life.
  
  
• Joey & Tom, I was so moved by your story.  I was diagnosed with leukemia in "04 and received "the gift of life" from my bone marrow donor in Nov. '05. I love it that you promoted the bone marrow registry.  I have been doing the same thing here in Iowa. We had a drive in April of this year and recruited over 140 people to join the registry.  I just received word that one of those is a match for someone.  How exciting.  I'm so happy that you had this platform and could reach so many people.  Keep up the good work. God Bless.
  
  
• Thank you so much for bringing to light the need for bone marrow donors! My 25 year old nephew is currently undergoing extensive chemo in preparation of a bone marrow transplant. We didn't have a match in the family, and we have just heard that there is a match thru "Be The Match" program. We have had many, many friends register for the match program since learning of a family member in need. More programs like this is certainly getting the word out. Thanks to ABC!!
  
  
• This was incredible.  As a potential donor and a nurse on a Marrow Transplant unit, it was just great to see someone doing so well post transplant, and to be able to witness the reunion of donor and recipient was very touching.  The fact that the makeover included 2 donor drives was great as well, a big boost for public awareness of the need and about the donor program.  I also want to thank the creators of Extreme Home Makeover for doing such a great job of broadcasting all of this information to all the viewers.  God bless you Joey.
  
  
• I totally loved this past weekend's Extreme Makeover Home Edition episode.  I love all of their shows, particularly this one.  I have been on the registry for 13 years now and have been hoping every day to get a call that I'm a match for someone.  I have been the receipient of so many miracles in my life and it is my heartfelt wish to pass along a miracle to someone else.  Thank you for sharing your story with everyone--the show just renewed my desire to make a difference for someone!
  
  
• I loved the show....I am a living kidney donor, and have been on the national marrow registry since the late 80's.  Waiting patiently to get the call..with any luck I will be called to donate, and help to save a life.  Good luck to everyone out there who is waiting.
  
  
• This is a truly amazing story of how a selfless act of one person can have such a wonderful impact on so many.  Joey, You have such a beautiful family, you are certainly an inspiration to many others to always remain hopeful and thankful.  Tom, I have been in the Be The Match Registry for many years and hope that someday I will be as blessed as you to give life to a complete stranger. God's blessings to you and your family's!
  
  
• Dear Joey: My younger sister Debbie had her stem cell transplant one year ago.  She was diagnosed with acute leukemia in Feb 2007.  She had an unrelated donor.  Her donor is in Europe somewhere and we are unable to contact that person due to their privacy laws. When I saw you on the Extreme Makeover,  meeting your donor, I had chills.   You look great and hope you have a wonderful holiday season.  If you are ever in the San Diego area I would love to meet you and your family. My sister is volunteering with the San Diego Blood bank this Tuesday to get people to sign up for the bone marrow registry.  It is so important. My best to you and your family.
  
  
• I have talked for years about being a donor, I always donate blood to the red cross and have given over 5 gallons. This show let us know how easy it is to become a donor, and with in a few moments of it ending I was registered with the National Marrow Donor Program and since received my kit and returned it. All of you inspired me and showed me how easy it is to register and donate. Hopefully I can help someone in need, if not by matching, by my recruiting others to join as well. Thank you for sharing this story.
  
  
• Your story is a blessing to every family that has ever needed the help of the National Marrow Donor Program.   Many warm wishes from Colorado for continued good fortune and happiness!
  
  
• I love the show. It reminds me that there is still so many good people in the midst of so much violence. It gives me hope for the future. I joined the national marrow donor program, when I was only 19 yrs. I was pregnant with my daughter then, and the community was searching for a match for a baby girl. I wasn't a match. I was still part of the program, when my own daughter(the one I was pregnant with) was diagnosed with leukemia almost 7 yrs later. She is under treatment now. I felt the importance to be a donor even more then. Please join and don't forget to update your info if you already have.

Learn More

•  Learn more about Joey Stott

•  Read Tom Wilhelm's story 

•  Learn more about the Patient Assistance Program

•  Read stories of patients helped through financial assistance

•  Be The Match joins with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

 
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