Stem cell transplant saves man's life

By: Rochelle Ritchie

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - It's music that may never have been heard again. And fingers that may never have played again.

But Florida Atlantic University Professor Joe Scott is back playing a piano and doing what he loves. "It was just the most incredible thing."

For two years Scott has been cancer free. All thanks to a donor thousands of miles away.
"She might as well have pulled me out of a river. I was drowning and she literally saved me life, " says Scott.

She, is 50-year-old Jo Pillon, a Canadian who donated stem cells 10 years ago.
"It's hard to put into words how it makes you feel when you could potentially save a life," says Pillon.

Scott was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2005. His chances of survival slim to none.

"They gave me a 20% chance of just getting into remission," he said.

For three years he survived on experimental drugs that were approved by the FDA.

It wasn't until stem cell transplants became more advanced that he found the key to life.

For years it remained a mystery who his donor was. Thinking it was a male he was surprised to find out it was a woman.

"I have all of her cells my blood type changes and I have female chromosomes," Scott said.
Dr. Shachar Peles, an oncologist with the Palm Beach Cancer Institute, says stories like Scott's are why so many people need to donate. "I think it's critical."

"I know just from being in the hospital that many people can't get a match and it's really important that we have as many donors as we can," said Scott.

Source: New Channel 5, 04,Jan 2011