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Fa'asua's marrow donation saved baby's life

By: STEVE SCHOLFIELD - Senior Sports Columnist | Sunday, May 6, 2007 8:02 PM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- On the Palomar College softball team, Jade Fa'asua is known for her quiet leadership, loud bat and integrity.

But the 21-year-old soft-spoken Samoan is more than that: She is a lifesaver.

Fa'asua gave up most of her freshman season a year ago to participate in a bone-marrow transplant that saved a baby's life.

Because of privacy issues, the only thing Fa'asua knows is that she helped a 1-year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic form of blood disease. She doesn't know the baby's name or in what state he and his parents live.

She only knows that the baby is doing well thanks to her gift.

"This is no big deal," said Fa'asua when approached to talk about the experience. "I don't see it as anything heroic."

I disagree. She is someone special.

"It took a compassionate and thoughtful person to do what she did," Palomar coach Scia Maumausolo said.

The National Marrow Donor Program contacted Fa'asua after she gave blood during her senior year at El Camino High to help a fellow student who was diagnosed with leukemia. The organization was seeking a donor for a patient they thought she might match.

Fa'asua, knowing such a donation would jeopardize her freshman season at Palomar, shared the information with her family. Her mother, Easter Fa'asua asked her, "Jade, is this something you want to do?"

Jade's answer was quick and to the point: "Mom, this is a no-brainer. This is someone's life."

It says a lot about Fa'asua's character. She was looking forward to being coached by Mark Eldridge, one of the game's top coaches, who retired at the end of last season. Plus, a season not playing at the junior college level could impact her chances for a scholarship at a four-year school.

But there are some things bigger than sports.

"When I decided to do the marrow, all I could think about is how my family would feel if it was my son or if it was me or someone in my family, like a cousin," Fa'asua said.

The bone marrow transplant required Fa'asua to make numerous trips to Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla. Doctors first gave her shots to build up her immune system, then extracted blood for the marrow match.

The procedure sapped Fa'asua's strength. She would try to keep up in practice, but she would run out of energy.

"I really didn't think about my season or the team. I was thinking of that little boy," she said.

One day after practice, she called her teammates together and told them what she was doing.

"I knew I was going to miss a couple of practices or be late, so they deserved to know," she said. "When I told them about it, they understood. I also told my team and my family that I'm going to need you to pick me up, and they did."

Her family ties are strong. During Saturday's first-round Southern California Regional playoff game against College of the Canyons, more than 30 members of the Fa'asua family were camped out in right field ---- not only supporting Jade, but her sister Jerica, cousin Sipau Lee-Noa and the rest of the Comets.

Jade responded with two home runs and six RBIs. During Sunday's dramatic 6-4 win, which featured Ginalee Davis' two-out, walk-off home run, Fa'asua went hitless.

For her, it didn't matter because her team won, allowing her to play at least one more week with her friends.

"I've made so many lasting friendships with my teammates," she said. "These friends will always be important to me."

Someday, she hopes to make friends with the little boy whose life she saved. Does she think that will ever happen?

"I think so. I really want to," Fa'asua said. "I just released my information, so they can contact me if they want."

As for her own future, Fa'asua, who carries a 3.0 grade-point average, wants to become a psychologist. She would love to go to the University of Hawaii.

"My aunt took me there when I was in the seventh grade, and I fell in love with it," Fa'asua said.

Hawaii or any other school would be missing out if they didn't grab this modest, talented pillar of strength.

Steve Scholfield is senior sports columnist for the North County Times. He can be reached at (760) 740-3509 or stevescho@cox.net. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

Angel wrote on May 9, 2007 12:12 PM:I am very proud of my cousin, and want her to know exactly how much of a blessing she is to my life as well as the the rest of the family. May GOD bless you all the days of your life cousin......love love

Joe wrote on May 15, 2007 8:05 AM:"THANK GOD THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THE WORLD". I KNOW THAT THE LORD WILL RICHLY BLESS YOU, DUE TO YOUR UNSELFISHNESS, LOVE, CAREING, AND GIVING FROM YOUR HEART. YOU DON'T KNOW ME AND I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT I'M HELLA PROUD OF YOU AND I' SURE THAT YOUR FAMILY IS TOO. I KNOW THAT I'LL BE HEARING MORE OF YOU IN THE YEARS TO COME, GOD BLESS, YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST.

Jolly wrote on May 15, 2007 2:51 PM:You've touched my heart Fa'asua with your life-saving story and what a wonderful way to give back to those in need. You are my angel and there's no doubt that the Lord will continue to richly bless you and your family for your great deeds.

semisi wrote on May 16, 2007 10:06 AM:As a Samoan, I am very proud of you Ms. Fa'asua. Although in a smaller scale, but you have done what Jesus Christ did, "to save a life." I said my prayer and shed a tear in the office this morning when I read this story. You have made my day and may God richly bless you. You are a blessing to those who have touched their lives.

juliet wrote on May 16, 2007 4:51 PM:God surely bless us with a special angel as yourself - you are what makes us Samoan proud - God's love & mercy endures forever in my heart when i read about a Samoan doing good for the love of Christ - a great big FAAFETAI for your unselfishness, may God continue to bless those whom you come in contact with and your family - thank you to your parents for teaching you right with God and he surely will continue to pour out his favor and love upon you. IA TUMAU LE FAATUATUA I LE ATUA! Alofaaga mo oe ma le aiga.

Ame wrote on May 22, 2007 3:07 PM:I would do just what you did,Faasua, malo lava and congratulations for the courage to do that, and also for the support from your mother and family. God will provide for you, and fill up the red cells you've gifted to a stranger, however no one is a stranger to us Samoans. The love of God, is a gift to all Samoans, they're born with it in their blood. Alofa tele mo oe. I live in SAmoa

SFC Steffany-Alo (US Army) wrote on May 23, 2007 2:07 PM:Jade Fa'asua; You are truely a Guardian Angel for a wonderful baby that you never met in your life but that's the beauty of God's ALOFA(love). Your unselfish and loving heart will always be in our heats. I am currently serving in Iraq to fight for a better world for others to live a properous and peaceful life. Your blessed story make me and others feel good to be Samoan, we're from a small tiny island in the South Pacific but we have BIG and LOVING hearts (Loto Alofa). This is a great ministry to the world about Samoan people. "PULE ALOFA LE TAMA' ILE LAGI E VAELUA TUTUSA ONA FAAMANUIAGA ILUGA IATE OE MA OU MATUA' FA'APEA TAMA FANAU O SAMOA OLO'O I TAFAO' TAUA"... JADE, FA'AFETAI MO LOU LOTO ALOFA!!!

Evelia wrote on Jun 6, 2007 11:51 AM:Aloha Ms. Fa'ausa, I just read your story. You are truly an angel sent by GOD. I love Samoan people because of the contact I have had with them in Hawaii. If only the world was like the spirit of the Polynsian people. GOD bless you. Mahalo.

Nancy wrote on Jul 9, 2007 4:30 PM:Faasaua, you are the angel sent from above for a loving and caring person that you are. with your story it really touched my heart because I would do the same thing too. But girl I just have to give it to you, you have the heart to do what you thing is best to do. I will share this thoughts with my family and take care and may the lord be with you always. love always, Nancy

Pappa wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:30 PM:This story is very interesting....Malo le agalelei, Fa'afetai le alofa, I know we did not meet in person, but your story gives me a heart broken with the unselfish service you have done. Knowing that girl! you are carrying the True Samoan heart, Sharing and Caring. Ole Alofa e le fa'atuaoia. May the spirit of our good Lord showers you with abundant blessings, Toa lou loto, malosi le fatu, thank you and appreciated the best service you have rendered to save the life of this young baby.... May God Bless you with your parents & family. This post is all da way from Vailoatai, American Samoa...... pappa

Pappa wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:41 PM:Thank you Fa'asua for the interesting story.

t wrote on Dec 4, 2007 9:47 AM:you are my hero

Salote wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:34 PM:To God Be the Glory!! I'm going to share your story in Sacramento. They just had a bone marrow drive to try and find a match for a Tongan baby in Sacramento. Out of thousands of polynesian only 211 showed up. Our people are unaware of how badly our people need this. God bless you and may your life be as blessful as the young child you've given life to.

Manuia....

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