Fort Hood Soldier Donates Bone Marrow to Save a Life

Face of Defense: Soldier Gives Gift of Life

By Rachel Parks
III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

Army Spc. Christopher Sutton donates bone marrow in Washington, D.C. Sutton discovered he was a bone marrow match just a few months ago and made a donation in May. He elected to enter the Defense Department’s bone marrow donor database more than four years ago. Courtesy photo

FORT HOOD, Texas, June 15, 2011 – Army Spc. Christopher Sutton enjoys helping people. It’s something that comes naturally to him whether it’s at his job, in his free time or while volunteering.

In that spirit of giving, Sutton took part in a bone marrow donor drive while stationed with the 89th Military Police Brigade about four years ago, and he was entered into the Defense Department bone marrow donor database.

“Two months ago, they called me out of the blue,” Sutton said. “I just happened to have the same number.”

Now working as a cadre member of the Warrior Transition Brigade Headquarters, Sutton was stunned when he was told he was a match to someone who would benefit from a bone marrow donation.

A donor coordinator from the C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Center contacted Sutton to ask if he would donate blood to verify a positive match.

“They said chances were slim that I could even be a match,” he said. But in a few short weeks, Sutton was contacted again with the official word. He was a match and his bone marrow donation could save a life.

Sutton said he wanted to help, but was concerned about the marrow-extraction process. “I was definitely thinking they were going to shove a huge needle in me and it was going to hurt,” he said. “I’ve heard that is one of the most-painful things ever.”

Ultimately, Sutton decided the pain would be worth the possibility of having a positive impact on someone’s life.
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Soldier Gives Gift of Life