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CHICAGO (CBS) A Barrington womans son was inspired to pay it forward after she was given the gift of life

WBBM Newsradios Regine Schlesinger reports Joanne Sullivan received a life-saving stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor in Germany two-and-a-half years ago, after she was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a form of bone marrow cancer.

I just feel terrific, she said.

The gift motivated her three sons to sign up with a registry for potential bone marrow and stem cell donors.

On Joannes birthday, her youngest son, Bryant, donated his stem cells to someone else.

It was the best birthday gift, I think, to have given her, he said.

Joannes transplant surgeon, Dr. Mrinal Patnaik, said 24 million people worldwide have registered for the transplant list, but he said thats only a drop in the bucket.

See more here:
After Mom Saved By Stem Cell Transplant, Son Donates His Own