AUGUSTA COUNTY -- Wesley Thompson started going blind, getting headaches and ended up in the emergency room. Doctors diagnosed him with myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, six years ago.

"When they told me it was MDS, I didn't know what it was at that time," Wesley said.

He found a bone marrow donor after a year long search.

"I was pretty much patient. I had to wait and go one day at a time," Wesley said.

Wesley doesn't know his donor, but he wanted to thank her.

"I appreciate what she's done, and I'm hoping she has a good life wherever she's from," Wesley said.

Wesley and his brother Jack watched ABC's Robin Roberts battle the same disease and the same transplant. They hope she recovers just like Wesley did.

“For me, the connection was they both came back. Robin came back with a strong encouragement and faith and all that, and inspiration for others," Jack said.

Wesley hopes his battle will inspire others to stay strong.

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