Rachell Souza, 9, wants to be a veterinarian. She lives with her family in Brazil and survived severe plastic anemia due to a bone marrow transplant.

Rachell made her first trip abroad in September 2008. She came with her mother Izabel Veras from Brazil to New York City to meet a fellow Brazilian, the builder Jefferson Araújo, 27. It was a very special meeting, as Mr. Araújo is the bone marrow donor who’s saved Rachell’s life.

Rachell met her donor for the first time during The Icla da Silva Foundation’s Fundraising Dinner. It was an overwhelming night. “I’m very thankful to God, that gave me this opportunity. Saving your life was the most important thing I’ve ever done”, said Mr. Araújo, who joined the Be The Match Registry during one of the foundation’s marrow drives in Boston, MA.

Can you imagine how it feels, for a mother, to meet the person that saved her daughter’s life? Ms. Veras was speechless while she watched Rachell and Mr. Araújo hugging. One could only imagine what went through her mind in that moment. Nine years ago, Ms. Vera lost her son, 14-year old Romullo, who suffered from severe plastic anemia. After eight years looking for an unrelated bone marrow donor, Ms. Veras decided to get pregnant, hoping that the baby would be the perfect match for Romullo.

Rachell was born and the exams immediately brought the good news: she was 100% compatible with her brother. Unfortunately, weeks later she was diagnosed with the same condition. “I thought, how can God make a miracle in half?”, remembers the mother. After ten years fighting his condition, Romullo passed away.

But luckily Mr. Araújo joined the Be The Match Registry and gave Rachell a second chance in life. You can watch bellow the video about Rachell and the unforgettable day she spent with her donor in Central Park, NY.