OAKLAND, California - An emotional embrace was shared between 12-year-old Mailyna Mayate and the woman who saved her life.

"I’m just so happy to meet her. It’s so great that she can come out here and donate her bone marrow to me," said Mayate.

One year ago, Kristine Sydney donated her bone marrow to help cure Mayate’s rare blood disorder.

Until today, the two only met through FaceTime but thanks to the Asian American Donor Program (AADP), they were finally able to meet face to face.

“That was one of the happiest moments of my life to see her face for the first time. Now, to see you in person is amazing,” said Sydney.

Sydney signed up as a donor on a whim after seeing posters by the high school she works at.

"I didn’t think I was eligible because I am not eligible to donate blood because of my travel history but I went and signed up," said Sydney.

Finding a match is rare. When Mayate's mother, Alima Armas, was contacted about a potential match, they were very excited.

“When we actually found out that she was willing to reach out and have contact with us, I was just in tears. I think I re-wrote an email several times just crying every time and when I finally hit send and closed my laptop my phone rang and it was Kristine," said Armas.

A recipient and a donor must be of the same ethnicity. According to AADP, Filipino donors only make up less than one-half-percent of the national registry.

"I really encourage everybody to sign up for the registry and think about the impact you can make in someone’s life," said Armas.

"I’m overwhelmed with happiness. To all the Filipinos listening to this – it’s simple to help a child in need," Sydney said.

AADP and countless numbers of bone marrow recipients are counting on more Filipinos to be part of the registry.

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