WIS (Columbia) Reporter Miranda Parnell got a phone call saying that she was the best bone marrow match for a two-year-old with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder.

Parnell was all smiles as she was wheeled into surgery as she helped save the little girl’s life.

Years ago while still in school. Parnell remembers seeing ‘Be the Match’ staff hosting a bone marrow drive on campus.

“I was basically just walking down Greene Street heading to class,” Parnell said. “Someone asked me if I wanted to do a quick cheek swab, and I said, ‘Sure!’”

She got the call and at first, she wasn’t sure it was real.

“The first thing that’s running through my mind is, ‘This has got to be a scam,’” Parnell said. “So, in between when they initially called, and when I asked them to call me back, I put the number in Google, and it was, in fact, Be The Match.”

After realizing she potentially held the cure, she committed to whatever it took. Turns out there’s a strict protocol and checklist before you can donate that includes multiple blood tests, EKGs, and physicals.

“The two main goals at the end of the day are to help this little girl who’s in need of the donation, but to also get more people on the registry to help others who may be in need,” she said.

Every single person on the medical team thanked Parnell for giving the gift of life.

It’ll be some time before we know how our little two-year-old is doing, but thanks to this Reporter, she has a fighting chance.

Great job Miranda!

H/T WIS