Our Quiet Hero - Jacqueline

This morning at 6:00am Jacqueline checked into Primary Children's Hospital and started preparations to give a portion of her bone-marrow to her little sister Emily. This is the second time Jacqueline has donated marrow to Emily, the first time being when Emily was 2-months old and Jacqueline was 6-years old. Because of this we gave Emily the middle initial of "J", a reminder for her of the gift her sister has given.

Today at 3:00pm, Jacqueline's bone-marrow once more entered Emily's body in hopes that it will start creating immune cells and regenerate into a fully functioning immune system. One night while talking with our Bishop, he referred to Jacqueline as a quiet hero and that term hasn't left our minds since. Jacqueline is a quiet hero because she directs all the attention to her little sister. She doesn't need to be in the spotlight to know she is doing something of great value for her sister and family. Before and after the transplant she didn't need the whole conversation centered on her, rather she was still concerned with others and prefered not talking about her situation.

She doesn't feel like she's a hero, but rather a sister that is doing what any other sister would do. In this regard, she is probably right, but where Jacqueline is different is in her approach. Seeing a hero like Jacqueline inspires us to do the right thing without the need for recognition, helping a loved one without attaching strings, and being concerned for others when our individual needs could easily be seen as greater.

Thanks Jacqueline!

- Dad