Hope Is My New Address
Photo Credit: Anne Francey
I opened my eyes to find doctors peering over my hospital bed. They had some welcome news.
I had for a month been living in isolation in the bone marrow transplant unit of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, my only option after my diagnosis with acute myeloid leukemia last year. Now, the doctors cautioned me that while my immune system was still very weak, my brother Adam’s healthy cells were beginning to engraft in my bone marrow.
Condolences to the Winslow Family
In March, we included in our blog the story of young leukemia patient Preston Winslow and his family meeting former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. This was a dream come true for Preston and came shortly after his family was told that his cancer had returned.
It is with great sadness that we report that Preston passed away this past weekend. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Lifeline Project Profiles: Alan, Michael, and Marc
Meet Alan, Michael, and Marc. They are the latest Lifeline Project participants to be profiled in our ongoing series highlighting the needs of transplant patients.
Alan
Alan
In September 2009, just one month after his mother passed away, Alan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). During his grieving period, Alan began treatment, which included multiple doctor visits, hospitalizations, many rounds of intense chemotherapy, full-body radiation and blood transfusions – culminating in a month-long hospital stay for his bone marrow transplant. Alan is in need of funding to help cover his transplant and treatment expenses.
Michael
Michael
Michael successfully underwent a stem cell transplant to rid himself of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The success of his transplant gave him a “new lease on life.” Unfortunately, he is having difficulty finding suitable work, since there are few environments that will not compromise his immune system. While he is waiting to fully recover from his treatment, he could use assistance covering the costs of his transplant expenses.
Marc
Marc
At just three years old, Marc was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After a relapse during maintenance therapy, he had a bone marrow transplant. Following his transplant he was diagnosed with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), causing liver and intestinal problems, and he must take sixteen different medications each day. He is one of six children to a single mother. His illness has been extremely financially and emotionally difficult for the entire family and they need help covering his treatment expenses.
To help these or any of the Lifeline Project participants, click here.
