In some situations, calling a person a "lifesaver" is, perhaps, a reach.

Calling the friends of former Sharpsville resident Christa Dunch Sims, "lifesavers" is probably an understatement.

That's because five of her friends -- Amy Sloan, Chris Flynn, Mary Pollock, Meg Sakoni and Karen Baker -- were instrumental in raising money to help pay for a bone marrow transplant that may very well save Mrs. Sims' life.

Mrs. Sims, 36, has been battling Hodgkin's disease. She was cleared of the cancer three times in three years, but each time it came back more aggressively.

The last time it spread to her liver and ovaries, she said, adding doctors told her chemotherapy "was just prolonging my life."

After attempting several methods to eradicate the disease, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system, doctors decided her best chance might be a bone-marrow transplant.

030509