But what is most remarkable about the toddler is that she is alive to do all these things. If it had not been for a perfect stranger, Tom Sandersfeld of Marengo, Iowa, Aubree likely would not be here today. Sandersfeld donated the bone marrow that saved Aubree's life. The Dunn and Sanderfeld families were among the 400 people expected at the event. Although the reunion was a time when donors and recipients could come together to celebrate life, it also served as an opportunity to stress the importance of bone marrow donations.
Bone marrow is the spongy meshwork material that fills the cavities of large bones.
Without functioning bone marrow, a person has no defense against infection and rapidly develops anemia and platelet deficiency. Bone marrow transplantation is a procedure that holds hope of prolonged survival and cure for patients with various diseases, including leukemia, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, advanced or resistant solid tumors such as in breast cancer, severe aplastic anemia and selected immune deficiency disorders. Approximately 20,000 bone marrow transplants take place annually at more than 300 centers worldwide. Osteopetrosis causes bones to grow inward and become dense instead of growing outward and becoming longer. Had it not been for Sandersfeld's donation, Aubree would not have grown and likely would have died.