German stem cell transplant donor comes to Watertown to meet the man he saved

Watertown Public Opinion
·2 min read

After Scott Shaeffer of Watertown was diagnosed with CMML, a rare form of leukemia, he underwent a stem cell transplant on April 20, 2018.

His donor was from Germany and after five years Jonas Hartinger, along with his girlfriend Fabienne Shroeder, recently came to Watertown to meet the man he saved. They enjoyed life on Lake Kampeska, Bramble Park Zoo, horseback riding at Joy Ranch and shooting guns at the gun range.

They also headed to the Twin Cities to take in a Minnesota Vikings game, visit the Mall of America and meet the transplant doctor at Mayo Clinic. Most of all, Hartinger and Shroeder met Shaeffer and his wife Jody's family and friends.

Scott Schaeffer of Watertown is pictured with Jonas Hartinger of Germany, the stem cell transplant donor who saved his life. Schaeffer was diagnosed with CMML, a rare form of leukemia, and underwent a storm cell transplant on April 20, 2018. Recently, Hartinger and his girlfriend Fabienne Schroeder came to Watertown to meet the man he saved.
Scott Schaeffer of Watertown is pictured with Jonas Hartinger of Germany, the stem cell transplant donor who saved his life. Schaeffer was diagnosed with CMML, a rare form of leukemia, and underwent a storm cell transplant on April 20, 2018. Recently, Hartinger and his girlfriend Fabienne Schroeder came to Watertown to meet the man he saved.

While visiting Hartinger was called for a second donation from the Be The Match organization. He donated once again on Sept. 26. Since a person can only donate two times in a lifetime, at age 24 Jonas will be off the registry but will have saved not only one life but possibly two.

The Shaeffers are thankful for the Be The Match Registry for not only locating their donor, but providing the contact information after two years so they could connect. They urge people to consider registering at Be The Match.

Dr. Shah, the transplant doctor at Mayo, shared that they do almost 600 transplants a year and Be the Match is crucial in locating the donors.

If you are already on the registry, please remember to update your address and phone numbers with Be The Match. Many times they find the perfect match for a transplant, but cannot locate the person due to incorrect information on file.

Dr. Shah also informed Hartinger that he has only ever heard of two other donors that have ever been called twice to donate as long as he has been a transplant doctor. He called him a celebrity and his stem cell recipient and family agree.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Scott Shaeffer of Watertown recently met his stem cell transplant donor