I nodded, trying to absorb the gravity of the situation. “Is there anything we can do to expedite this? Anything at all?”

“Keep spreading the word,” Dr. Patel suggested. “The more people we can get registered as potential donors, the better the chances we find a match quickly.”

I left his office with a mission. The fear still gnawed at me, but I refused to let it paralyze me. I spent the rest of the day rallying friends and family, reaching out across social media, anything to widen the net for potential donors.