Listener mail about "Manjusha Meets Her Match"

On last week's program, we aired Alisa Siegel's documentary "Manjusha Meets Her Match." 

Two years ago, Manjusha Pawagi was diagnosed with leukemia. Her only chance to beat it, was a risky stem cell transplant. A world-wide search resulted in just one match -- a young man, Jay Sethna, in Staten Island, New York.  When Jay learned he was the only person who could save Manjusha's life, he didn't hesitate. As soon as she was able, Manjusha set out to find the donor who had saved her life. Aisa Siegel was with there for their emotional meeting, in New York City's Central Park.

We received many beautiful letters about her documentary.

 
Peter Paproski in Montreal: "Talk about a good eye-rinse! Many years ago, my dearest friend did not survive the same therapy. She would be so thrilled to know how it has saved lives today. Bravo."

Michael Cox in Vancouver:  "Listening to Alisa's documentary, I choked up. That Jay's initial act, to agree to a simple swab of the inside of his cheek, led to saving Manjusha's life, gave me hope. Jay said yes instead of no. What a beautiful result this simple act created! A life saved, new friendships forged, and the knowledge that he'd done something that made the difference between life and death for a fellow human being.

I am no hero but as a bus driver, I do practice small acts of kindness -- acknowledging people with a smile, waiting for a senior to be seated before moving away from the bus stop. There is immense satisfaction in making people a little happier for the minutes they are on my bus. Without fail, people respond with a smile, a thank-you, or just a little wave. To my fellow Sunday Edition listeners, I ask this of you: Today and every day: say hello to someone you don't know. And see what happens."

Hedy Dab in Montreal: "As I listened to Manjusha speak about thanking her donor, I thought about my own donor.  In 2012, I received a liver and kidney. Since then, I have fantasized about meeting the family whose young son died and left me his organs. But in Quebec, the law protects the recipient and the donor from knowing each other.  That family's decision has allowed me to continue living. I am in excellent health now, and I turned 64 on October 28th. Strangely enough, this is the anniversary of Manjusha and Jay's success. How's that for a coincidence?"

Rick Lee in Victoria:  "I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002; then it morphed into lymphoma. Chemotherapy was ineffective. I was offered the choice between an experimental transplant or palliative care. I chose the former. There were three matched donors in the world-wide system: the first two were either unavailable or unwilling -- they never tell you. The last, was my brother. Since my transplant in 2009, my wife and I have lived a pretty normal life.

I think often about all the folks who made it possible: the researchers, the medical system, the doctors and nurses, the donor system, my wife and of course, my brother.  And I've thought for years about how to adequately say thanks, but of course, words fail every time, and gestures are inadequate.  I hope that everyone involved, can see us living good, full lives, as a small token of recognition for their contributions. We are indeed grateful. Thanks again for reminding us how fortunate we are."

Jim Quinsey in Whitehorse:  "Today dawned, for me, with great physical pain. But here I am; tears still flooding my eyes after listening to Manjusha Meets Her Match.  This wonderful documentary strengthened me today. Sometimes help from afar, travelling enormous distances, lands in places we would never have predicted!"

 Ellen Jaffe in Hamilton: "I listened to this moving story today, one week after one of my closest friends died from cancer. Despite my grief, Manjusha and Jay's story gave me a sense of hope and renewal, and lightened my heart.  Jay's generous, warm spirit and Manjusha's determination and love of life are the qualities I admired in my friend, and ones we should all aim for, in everyday life as well as in times of crisis.  We are all connected. Thank you for your wonderful program, and thanks to Alisa for telling this story."