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Captain David Whitson, 44, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2016 and was given a 5% chance of survival.
Not all heroes wear cap, agree? (Photo Credit: X)
A United Airlines pilot reunited with the woman who saved his life eight years ago, surprising her on a flight last week. Captain David Whitson was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2016 and was given a 5% chance of survival. Allie Reimold, then 22, was a match for his bone marrow transplant and donated her stem cells, saving his life. Last week, as Allie boarded her flight in Houston, she had no idea David was nearby. It had been four years since their last meeting and nearly eight years since she helped David overcome the life-threatening illness.
Back in 2016, David, a healthy 44-year-old, was struck with severe symptoms that led to the devastating diagnosis, needing a bone marrow transplant. With no suitable match in his family, doctors turned to donor registries, where Allie’s profile came up as a perfect match. Allie, then a behavioural sciences undergraduate, had joined the National Marrow Donor Programme during a campus event. When asked to donate, she agreed, undergoing a non-invasive procedure to provide stem cells. These were transplanted into David’s body on December 21, 2016, effectively replacing his diseased blood with healthy cells.
Over the years, David and Allie formed a close bond. They first met in 2018 and have stayed in touch through social media and annual reunions. As a gesture of gratitude, David extended his airline travel benefits to Allie, allowing her to travel like family.
Last week, David, who had just piloted a flight to Houston, noticed through his airline app that Allie was nearby and about to board Flight 2223. In a race against time, he coordinated with the flight crew and dashed across the airport to surprise her.
Once aboard, David took to the plane’s PA system to share their remarkable story with passengers, calling Allie “the true hero of this story.” He then walked over to embrace her, drawing applause from everyone on board. “It’s not every day you can hug someone who saved your life,” David told CNN.
For Allie, now a cancer prevention researcher, the moment was especially meaningful. Their reunion came just days before the eighth anniversary of David’s transplant.
