Donor MELINDA BEATTY and Recipient HALSTON HUNT

October 22, 2009 Halston Hunt, age 17 and a high school senior in Bridgeport, Texas, met his marrow donor, Melinda Beatty of Longview, for the first time on October 22, 2009. Hunt was diagnosed with acute leukemia in 2006, and received Beatty’s marrow in the spring of 2007.“It’s really awesome to have a chance to meet the person who, quite literally, gave me a second chance at life,” Hunt said.Melinda Beatty joined the registry at a BIC drive in 1999, shortly after her first child was born.“I’ve been very blessed to have healthy children, and this gave me a chance to do something to help children who weren’t as fortunate,” Beatty said.