Teenage Daughter's Bone Marrow Saves Dad's Life

Viana Trinh's donation gives her father Hai a second chance after years of battling a rare blood disorder

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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After over a decade of living with a rare blood disorder, Hai Trinh's condition had deteriorated to the point where he needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. His 17-year-old daughter Viana stepped up to be the donor, undergoing the procedure to extract her bone marrow and give her father a new lease on life.

Why it matters

This story highlights the power of family and the medical advancements that allow younger donors to save the lives of older relatives. It also underscores the importance of not delaying critical medical treatment, as Hai Trinh did for years before finally agreeing to the transplant that could cure his condition.

The details

Hai Trinh had been living with thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder that caused low platelet counts, for over a decade. Despite trying various treatments, his condition only worsened over time, leading to frequent hospitalizations and the near-complete failure of his bone marrow. Hai was hesitant to undergo a bone marrow transplant due to the time off work required, but his doctor, Mehrdad Abedi, convinced him it was his best chance at survival. Abedi then worked with the UC Davis Health stem cell transplant program to find a suitable donor, ultimately determining that Hai's teenage daughter Viana was the best match.

  • In the early 2010s, Hai Trinh was first diagnosed with thrombocytopenia.
  • Over the next five years, Hai tried several different treatments with limited success.
  • In 2020, Hai met with Dr. Abedi, who recommended a bone marrow transplant.
  • In the Fall of 2025, Hai underwent chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant.
  • In late 2025, Viana donated her bone marrow to her father, and the transplant procedure was performed.

The players

Hai Trinh

A 45-year-old mechanic, husband, and father of two girls who has been battling a rare blood disorder for over a decade.

Viana Trinh

Hai's 17-year-old daughter who donated her bone marrow to save her father's life.

Mehrdad Abedi

A UC Davis Health bone marrow transplant doctor who serves as part of the stem cell transplant program team and recommended the transplant procedure for Hai.

Tracy Trinh

Hai's wife and Viana's mother, who had mixed emotions about her daughter undergoing the bone marrow donation procedure.

Grace Chan

A UC Davis Health stem cell transplant nurse coordinator who helped the Trinh family navigate the donation and transplant process.

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What they’re saying

“One of my hematologists recommended I go see Dr. Abedi. He suggested a bone marrow transplant. I told him I was scared of the procedure.”

— Hai Trinh, bone marrow transplant patient (Mirage News)

“Hai was still very hesitant to have the transplant, but as this disease progressed, he realized his work and life were already complicated by being in the hospital or being in a clinic all the time.”

— Mehrdad Abedi, bone marrow transplant doctor (Mirage News)

“The idea of going under anesthesia scared me. This would be the first procedure I had ever had. But I reminded myself that the only thing I really wanted to do was to help my dad.”

— Viana Trinh, bone marrow donor (Mirage News)

What’s next

Hai Trinh will continue to be monitored closely by his medical team at UC Davis Health as he recovers from the bone marrow transplant. Doctors are optimistic that he has a 70-80% chance of being cured of his rare blood disorder.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the power of family and the life-saving potential of bone marrow transplants, even when the donor is a teenager. It also underscores the importance of not delaying critical medical treatment, as Hai Trinh did for years before finally agreeing to the transplant that could cure his condition.