Boston Girl's Would-Be Donor Discovers Cancer Of His Own

By Paige Austin, Patch Staff

A father of two girls, a triathlon athlete, and a police officer known for taking rookies under his wing, it came as no surprise when Orange County California Highway Patrol Officer Keith Meter agreed to donate his bone marrow to a cancer-stricken girl in Boston he’d never even met.

But what happened next was a complete shock.

During the donation process, doctors discovered that Meter was suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare cancer of the bone marrow. Now he needs a bone marrow transplant to save his life, and the CHP community up and down the state is stepping up with a series of bone marrow drives this week.

“There is no cure for what I have, and the only cure would be to get the bone marrow transplant,” Meter told CBS.

A San Clemente resident, Meter has saved many lives as both a CHP officer and as a lifeguard. He once helped yank a jumper dangling from an overpass, holding him by his ankle until the man could be pulled to safety. The 18-year CHP veteran wouldn’t have known he was sick if it weren’t for his willingness to donate his bone marrow in 2014.

“I ignored the fact that they told me to go to the doctor because I felt fine,” he admitted.

As for the Boston 8-year-old girl Meter originally matched with, a CHP spokeswoman said he likely doesn't even know her name. Connections are typically anonymous, she said, meaning marrow donors often do not meet the people they help save.

CHP is hosting bone marrow drives throughout California this week. The donation involves a simple cheek swab. Your DNA goes into the national registry where you have a 1 in 540 chance of being the right match for someone in need, according to Be The Match.

>> Photo courtesy of the CHP and caringbridge.org

>> Alison Bauter, Patch staff, contributed reporting from Boston