FDNY bone marrow donors meet their recipients

FOX5NY (WNYW-TV) - Some of New York's Bravest donated life-saving bone marrow to desperate people And on Friday, Fox 5's Linda Schmidt was there as they met their grateful recipients.

47-year-old Amy Alcorn flew in from Eerie, Pennsylvania to meet someone who's extraordinarily special to her.

Firefighter Michael Wilson.

FDNY firefighter Michael Wilson donated his bone marrow to the 'New York Blood Center' and his marrow was given to Amy to save her life. And on Friday, they met face to face for the first time.

"Once you meet, it's like whoa, I helped her thru her illness" Wilson said.

Amy had suffered from Leukemia.  Now, she's healthy and has a strong bond with Firefighter Wilson and his wife.

Firefighter Fredrick Perdue also met the recipient of his bone marrow; 35-year-old Jonathan Ragland from Kentucky.   Jonathan had a blood disease.  Firefighter Perdue's gift of life was a gift to both Jonathan and his 2 young children.

"I know my expression on my face doesn't show it, but I'm so grateful" Ragland said. "He gives me the opportunity to see my kids grow up."

There are more members of the FDNY who donated bone marrow and stem cells to the New York Blood Center than any other group.  So there you have it, New York City firefighters helping to save lives in more ways than one.