Linda Jennings of Florida and Joanie Evans of London, England have something special in common. Joanie’s blood type. Joanie’s donation of her bone marrow saved Linda’s life. “It’s like giving birth again!” said Joanie. “I’d be dead without her,” adds Linda. Yet, they have never met.

Linda Jennings, suffering from chronic myelocytic leukemia, had just one chance at life. A bone marrow transplant.

In 1989, Linda, who wears contact lenses, went for a routine eye exam. Her doctor noticed changes in her eyes and strongly suggested she see an internist now. She did. The results of the blood test showed that Linda’s white cell count was enormous. She had no symptoms of anything, much less chronic myelocytic leukemia. “I was healthy. I’m a runner. I was in great shape!” But, it was true. Linda had a fatal disease. Linda was going to die, within three to five years.

After her diagnosis, Linda’s doctor put her on Interferon to hold the disease in check while she studied her situation and what to do about it. A registered nurse herself, Linda knew where to look for help and, more importantly, what to ask. With her doctor’s help, she narrowed her choices down to one: a bone marrow transplant at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

If a donor could be found in time. Someone whose six Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) matched hers. The person didn’t have to have the same blood type, but the six proteins found on the surface of white blood cells had to match her own as closely as possible.

Inquiries through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), based in Minneapolis, came up with only three potential donors out of over millions internationally: one each in the United States, France, and England. The first two were a 5 out of 6 HLA match, the English donor was a perfect 6 out of 6 match. Would any of these people donate? Since the American was closest, they tried there. “It didn’t pan out,” said Linda. One down, two to go. The French one wasn’t that near a match, perhaps try the English match next?

It would be two and one half years from Linda’s diagnosis until her transplant.

In 1982, Joanie Evans of London, England, signed up as a potential bone marrow donor at the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust in London. She had seen a small mention of the center in a London newspaper. The Trust was named for a young boy who died before a donor could be found. “I did it for the children,” said Joanie when asked why she signed up. “I am blessed with a healthy son. But I didn’t really expect to be called. It was quite a shock when I was.”

And called she was. Eleven years later, in May 1993. A letter arrived informing her that she was a potential suitable donor. Was she still interested? “I had mixed feelings about it, really. I was a bit scared, and a bit excited. I talked it over with my husband and son. They said they would back me up and help any way they could.”

Joanie contacted the Trust, now a part of a worldwide network of computerized databases, and made her appointment in their Harley Street offices to have blood drawn for further testing. While there she was told that the patient was a 40-year-old American woman. “That was all the information I was allowed to have, and also all the information she would know about me.” Until one year after the transplant, total anonymity is the rule.

When Joanie agreed to donate, plans were made for Linda to fly to Seattle and undergo the pre-transplant conditioning. “Until I underwent the pre-conditioning,” said Linda, “I didn’t feel anything. I was totally healthy. I felt so healthy, I thought the diagnosis was wrong. In fact, I almost didn’t have the transplant, but the timing was perfect.”

Linda received total body radiation and two days of intense chemotherapy to kill her cancer. The treatments killed her immune system so it wouldn’t reject Joanie’s marrow.

Joanie was scheduled to undergo the donation procedure as Linda finished with her pre-transplant conditioning. Scheduling had to be precise. Marrow only survives for a limited time after removal. As soon as Joanie’s marrow was removed and packaged in London, a special courier flew with the marrow to Seattle and there to Linda, waiting in the hospital.

“If anything had happened to Joanie or her marrow from the time I had undergone the conditioning until I received it — I would be dead. That’s how close it was.” Linda recalled the anxious hours waiting for the marrow to cross an ocean and continent to Seattle and arrive safely at the hospital. “If she had backed out at the last minute, if something had happened to the courier or the plane — I would be dead.”

Three months later, Joanie received word that the patient had survived. She would get updates about the patient every three months until the one-year anniversary. If she wanted to write a note to her she could, via the Trust. If the patient was interested in responding, she would do so, via the NMDP in Minneapolis and the Trust in London. “It took so long to hear anything, as the letters were going through the two programs and were censored so we couldn’t find out about each other ahead of time,” said Joanie. “It was good to hear from her.”

After the first year, it was up to Linda to introduce herself to Joanie. She did, sending pictures and telling Joanie about herself. Joanie replied with her own set of pictures and stories of her family and life in England.

The letters are sporadic as Linda follows a hectic schedule working shifts in a hospital, and Joanie is a busy mother of an active college-age son. However, the two women do keep in touch. Someday, they would love to meet.

Six years later, Linda is “100% clear” of the disease. “And I have Joanie’s blood type and any allergies she may have.” Joanie has none. Linda swears her hair is curly because of Joanie’s “curly hair.” Joanie’s is straight. According to Katosha Belvin of the NMDP, formerly straight hair growing in curly or kinky is a common phenomenon in transplant patients, as well as cravings for different foods — the donor’s favorites. Linda swears she hasn’t, yet, had a craving for tea or fish and chips. Joanie really favors curried food. Although, Linda figures she and Joanie must be related — somehow. Finding a match as perfect as theirs is, indeed, a rarity.

Would Joanie donate again? “Of course! It wasn’t painful, although I was a bit weak for a few days.” She’s thoughtful a moment, “All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I would do it again if I could. I feel uplifted and privileged and would recommend it to anyone.”

As for Linda? “What can I tell you? Joanie saved my life.”

For more information contact the National Marrow Donor Program call 1-800-MARROW-2.