Melissa's giving the gift of life
PETOSKEY, MI -- This holiday season, a family will be getting a gift that money can not buy.
A local young adult putting her every day life aside and giving the gift of life.
This is the story of a student who says it's not about who you are, it's about what you do.
And this month's “Your Town Hero” is doing heroic things.
"I’m one of those people that seem to be at the right place at the right time," admitted Melissa Behrmann.
There's really not a better way to explain Melissa Behrmann, unless you add "and do the right thing." Melissa, a 20 year old student at North Central Michigan College, says this story begins two years ago, when she was donating blood. After her donation, she stopped at a kiosk, which would end up changing her life.
“They did a cheek swab with a q-tip, and they put it in a National Database that basically any doctors or hospitals can look at," said Behrmann.
She added herself to the National Bone Marrow Registry. She didn't think much of it, a nurse said she's been on it for 18 years and nothing has ever come from it, but just two years later, Melissa was "at the right place, at the right time."
“All I know is she is an eleven year old girl with ALL, which is a type of leukemia, and all she knows is I'm a 20 year old female," she said.
Melissa was contacted by doctors, and after several tests, she was a match. For who? She doesn't know, all she knows is she is in position to be a life-changer. On December ninth, next week, bone marrow from her hips will go into another's life.
"She’s not getting anything out of it except joy for somebody living a little longer, I mean, it's incredible," said Jennifer Sachtleben, a NCMC student.
“She's an absolute role-model because a lot of people don't realize the difference things like that can make in other people's lives," said Heidi Flewelling, also a student.
Melissa says she'll be sore for about four days, but if you put it in perspective for the 20-year-old.
“In reality, that's nothing compared to the fact that I'm saving this little girl's life," said Behrmann.
And that's what makes Melissa Behrmann December's "Your Town Hero."
Melissa says she won't know who the little 11 year old recipient is for at least a year.
But she says it's probably a Christmas present she'll remember forever.
