Julia Jenkins, 13, Donates Bone Marrow Twice To Save Little Brothers With Rare Genetic Disorder

Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Julia Jenkins' gift to her three little brothers didn't come in a box. It involved no wrapping paper, bows, or trips to the mall. But it's a present her family will treasure forever.

The 13-year-old from Georgia has donated bone marrow to her younger brothers on two separate occasions. Her three brothers all suffer from a rare genetic immune disorder called X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), according to FOX 5.

When doctors first discovered Julia was a perfect match for 6-year-old John and 2-year-old Matthew, they asked her to make a donation. Julia told FOX that, at the time, she wasn't even sure what it meant to be a donor.

"But I said yes," she said, "because they're my brothers."

Matthew's body resisted the donation, according to FOX, so Julia donated again a year later. A woman from Texas, meanwhile, donated marrow to save Julia's third brother, Will.

This Christmas, three years later, the three boys are celebrating their lives and their good health -- all thanks to their big sis. Julia told FOX she'd even donate again if she had to.

"It's like a good feeling," she said, "because they're alive because of you."

In June, a 3-year-old boy from Indiana deemed himself "Marrow Man" after donating bone marrow to his 1-year-old sister. And in August, a 15-year-old from Arizona donated bone marrow to his 16-year-old twin brothers.