Maria Dennis Shares the Fight of Her Life
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- For two decades Maria Dennis has been one of the most popular radio personalities in Baltimore and she's sharing a stunning message with her listeners.
Maria had been just diagnosed with leukemia. When doctors say she has a 50 percent chance to live, she immediately began treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
After undergoing several rounds of intense chemotherapy, she was then told she'll need a bone marrow transplant.
"I just cant imagine someone going through a surgery for a stranger," said Dennis.
But someone does-- a father of three from Kansas City. The man, who she have never met saved her life.
"Yeah, that's quite a concept," said Dennis.
Through the bone marrow registry, Johns Hopkins finds Maria's perfect match.
"They explained to him that he is a match for someone in Baltimore. Are you still up for it? Thank god he didn't back out, or thank god he didn't miss his plane, thank god he didn't get sick," said Dennis.
Sharing DNA in the very center of their bones, the two complete strangers, finally connected face-to-face.
Dennis shares what was going through her mind when she was on her way to meet the person who saved her life.
"I was so nervous. What am I going to say to him?"
Maria and her husband, arrange to meet Randy Braun and his wife.
"We were supposed to meet inside the restaurant, and one thing led to another and we both showed up outside the restaurant at the same time and I was like 'oh my god, oh my god, and I turned around and I just lost it. This man is my angel. He saved my life. My kids get to have a mom again, my husband has his wife back… my mom has her only daughter back," said Dennis. "I try not to worry about the little things. I try to take each day as it comes, and I try to be present. Think about that for a second. To be in the moment and not physically there thinking about what you need to do next and your errands are, and what you're making for dinner, but actually enjoying this minute right now."
Signs and symptoms of Maria's leukemia are gone as of now and she's enjoying every moment of her life.
"I am not free and clear. I take chemotherapy pills every day, twice a day, to keep me in remission," said Dennis. "I do have a lot to live for. So I better make it good."
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