Michele then contacted the American Red Cross to set up the bone marrow drives. They were very eager to help, but wanted to know who would pay the fee for each person willing to have their blood tested for a possible match. Michele didn’t realize the cost associated with marrow testing, but didn’t lose sight of her goal. She contacted Dr. McKenas, American’s corporate Medical Director, and asked if American would be willing to sponsor bone marrow drives for its employees on Jayla’s behalf. Michele was at the hospital visiting Jayla when she received a call from Dr. McKenas with the message, “Absolutely! American would do whatever it could to help Jayla!”

The first of what became a total of twenty marrow drives was held on November 1 and the last was held six weeks later on December 13. As a result of the drives, 2,187 employees were tested and have been added to the national marrow registry – phenomenal results in such a short period of time. Michele traveled to as many of the drives as possible and looking back she comments, “I was overwhelmed by the response at all the drives and the genuine love and concern that all the employees have shown.”

Despite the great turnout for the drives, a match was not found for Jayla among American Airlines’ employees. However, one was found a couple of months later in Italy and Jayla received a bone marrow transplant on February 17. Sadly, due to complications, Jayla passed away on March 9, 2001 before the new marrow could begin producing healthy blood cells. Understandably, her family is still grieving their loss and their lives have changed forever. Michele continues to encourage everyone to join the bone marrow registry and is pleased to share some great news that resulted from the effort to save Jayla. Several employees who are registered donors have been notified that they are potential matches and on May 8, 2001, one employee donated her marrow after learning she was a “perfect six” (matching six genetic factors out of six), showing American Airlines employees are already helping to save lives.”

American Airlines has also made a commitment to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) to pay to pay for five hundred employees to be tested each year for the next three years. A simple blood test is all it takes to join the program. More information can be found on line at www.marrow.org or by calling (800)MARROW-2.

In a letter written to her fellow coworkers, Michele comments, “Thank you will never seem like an adequate expression to thank everyone who was involved in this project. I met a lot of wonderful people who I will never forget.” Michele’s final hope is that after hearing Jayla’s story, more people will realize how easy it is to become a donor and give someone else a second chance at life.

Published in the American Airlines “People” section of their newletter.