By Sunny Yen, Chen-Chen Liu | Taiwan 

On October 19-20, Tzu Chi’s Stem Cell Center gathered stem cell donors and recipients for a heartwarming reunion at the Sanchong Jing Si Hall. Marking the 31st anniversary of this life-saving program, the event celebrated the special bonds between donors and those whose lives they have saved. The event welcomed participants from around the globe, who came to thank their donors personally and honor the compassionate volunteers who make these donations possible. 

According to Dr. Edward Kuo-Liang Yang, Director of Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center, since its founding, the organization has worked tirelessly to support patients with blood-related illnesses worldwide, reaching patients in 31 countries across five continents. As of September 2024, Tzu Chi has facilitated over 6,781 successful transplants, with more than 480,000 registered donors worldwide. In its 31-year history, the Center has witnessed countless stories of hope, demonstrating the incredible impact of compassion and dedication. 

Reunions Mark New Beginnings for Donors and Recipients 

Seven donor-recipient pairs participated in this year’s event, ranging in age from eight to 68. The donors averaged around 27.5 years old at the time of their donations, with a 4:3 ratio of men to women. The participating recipients had all been recovering for over five years, overcoming challenging treatments, and, for many, returning to work or resuming beloved hobbies. Some even shared stories of newfound inspiration, rekindling their passions for painting, music, or other joys in life, symbolizing a fresh start through these new chapters of life. 

For Cheng-Bin Chen, a 34-year-old donor from Tainan, the experience became life-changing. Motivated to maintain his fitness for donation, Chen committed to a healthy lifestyle that he still follows today. “When I learned I was a match, I wanted to be in the best shape possible to help,” he explained. Chen’s father, a volunteer firefighter, had instilled the values of compassion and service in him from a young age. Inspired by a stem cell registry drive by Tzu Chi in 2006, Chen was eager to join the registry, hoping one day he could make a difference. 

Years passed before Chen’s phone rang in 2018 with the news he had been waiting for: he was a match for someone in need. At that time, he had just returned to Taiwan after working abroad and initially thought the call might be a scam. “I’d heard about phone scams but had forgotten about my registration,” he laughed. Yet, when a volunteer explained that his match desperately needed his help, Chen was quick to commit, supported by his family and driven by a profound sense of responsibility. 

The Modern Gift of Life 

Chen’s donation was conducted through peripheral blood collection, a method similar to donating blood that allows stem cells to be harvested with minimal impact. Thanks to modern medical advancements, peripheral blood stem cell collection has become a straightforward procedure, making donation accessible to more people and reassuring potential donors about the simplicity of the process. “It’s as simple as donating blood,” Chen emphasized. 

Yi-Chiao Luo, another donor from Miaoli, shared a similarly inspiring story. She joined the registry in 2012 after a colleague invited her to a Tzu Chi stem cell donation registration event. In 2018, Luo was surprised to learn she was a match. She joked, “I don’t usually win anything, not even a raffle, but I ‘won’ this rare match! It felt incredible.” Just newly married at the time, Luo embraced the chance to give back, nourishing herself with a balanced diet in preparation for the donation. What she wanted most was for the recipient to have a fresh start as she made the donation with her most sincere blessings. 

The Role of the Support Team 

Tzu Chi’s dedicated Care Team for bone marrow and stem cell donations play a pivotal role in the donation journey. Founded in 1994, the team is composed of over 800 volunteers and donors across Taiwan. They organize blood drives, register donors, and support families affected by blood disorders, fostering a strong sense of community care. 

The motto “Take a Needle to Save a Life” drives each volunteer’s mission. Their unwavering support has guided countless donors and patients through complex medical procedures, offering encouragement, companionship, and strength. These committed individuals are crucial in creating a world where donors and recipients alike receive the support they need to embark on the path to healing and renewal. 

Behind the Scenes: A Network of Hope 

For every successful transplant, hundreds of individuals play a role, from volunteers organizing drives to staff conducting thorough match screenings. A single stem cell donation involves around 500 people throughout the process, each contributing to the final goal of restoring health and hope. Local chapters of the Care Team also participate in ongoing training, ensuring their services remain effective, compassionate, and up to date with medical advancements. 

Following the donor-recipient first meet-up on October 19, the center continued its celebration with a specialized training session for the Care Team volunteers. This certification program equipped volunteers with the latest medical knowledge, enhancing the quality of care provided and deepening their understanding of the impact of stem cell donations. 

As Tzu Chi celebrates this significant 31-year milestone, the meet-up event and training sessions highlight the Center’s ongoing commitment to supporting global health. Each donor’s act of kindness, each volunteer’s commitment, and each life saved come together to demonstrate the boundless power of compassion in action.