A high school student who survived a rare blood disorder got a chance to say thanks to the people who made it possible.
Luka Simunac was 13 when he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare condition where the body stops producing enough new blood cells. After two years, multiple brushes with death, a bone marrow transplant, and 58 transfusions, he’s finally bounced back to health.
At a lunch at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital, Simunac met with the 20 blood donors who made his recovery possible – first responders, teachers, and even his mom’s coworkers.
“My mom contacted them and they immediately stepped forward and offered to save my life,” he told KNX News’ Pete Demetriou.
There will be more blood test and check-ups in the months and years to come, but Simunac’s main priorities now are enjoying summer with his friends and getting ready to go back to school in the fall. He said he plans to keep in touch with the donors, who he considers a second family.
“I definitely felt a sense of community, seeing everyone from different careers coming over and donating no matter how old, where they worked, how many hours they worked,” he said.
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Even at the worst point of his treatments, he says what sustained him was a belief there was a bright light at the end of the tunnel and he'd be there to enjoy it.
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