A Match Made in Courage: TVAH Staff Member Donates Life-Saving Blood Stem Cells 

Earlier this year, Mayra Vélez, a Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) staff member based in El Paso, Texas, gave the ultimate gift of donating her blood stem cells to a patient in need of a life-saving transplant. 

Mayra made her donation through NMDP (formerly Be The Match), a nonprofit organization that has been saving lives for more than 25 years by connecting volunteer donors with patients battling blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, or other serious blood diseases. For many patients, a stem cell transplant can be their only chance of survival. 

Mayra’s journey began years ago when she was a college student. “I remember walking around campus and there was a booth about joining the donor registry,” she said. “They told me I might never get called, but I thought, maybe someday someone could need me, so why not sign up?” 

Years passed, and Mayra had nearly forgotten she was on the registry, until she started receiving persistent calls from an unfamiliar number. “I thought it was spam at first,” she laughed. “But one day, I picked up, and they told me I was a match.” 

Soon after, NMDP flew Mayra and her sister to Seattle, Washington, where she donated her stem cells in a calm, clinic-like environment. “The process was smoother than I expected,” she said. “They take blood from one arm, filter out the stem cells, and return your blood through the other. I was there for about five and a half hours, and then my sister and I even went sightseeing afterward!” 

Leading up to her donation, Mayra took a medication that helps the body produce more stem cells, and while she experienced mild fatigue and aches, she said the experience was overwhelmingly positive. “The staff were incredible. They checked on me constantly and made me feel so comfortable. They even took care of my sister with snacks and support the entire time.” 

As a remote online teacher, Mayra said she felt especially grateful for the flexibility that comes with her role at TVAH. “Being remote made the entire experience so much easier,” she shared. “I didn’t have to worry about taking extra time off or traveling far from home for work while I recovered. My team was incredibly supportive and encouraged me to focus on my health. That’s one of the things I love most about teaching online—you can make a difference for your students while still having the flexibility to take care of yourself and others.” 

While Mayra doesn’t know the identity of the recipient, she recently completed her six-month follow-up and received hopeful news: her recipient is doing well. 

For Mayra, the decision to say “yes” was deeply personal. “One of my aunts had cancer,” she said. “You never know when you or someone you love might need help like this. If you have the chance to give, do it.” 

Since sharing her experience, Mayra has already inspired others. Her sister has signed up to become a donor, and several colleagues have expressed interest too. “It’s not as complicated as people think,” she added. “Do your research, ask questions, and trust the experts. You could save someone’s life.” 

Mayra’s courage and compassion reflect the heart of the TVAH community—a reminder that one person’s selfless decision can change the course of another’s life. 

Learn more about how Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville empowers students and families to learn in ways that fit their unique needs at tvah.k12.com.