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Stories of Courage and Resilience

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Diagnosis
Treatment
Age at time of transplant
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Joy Hill Head Shot

Donor: Joy's Story

After donating stem cells to her sister, Joy Hill returns home carrying more than just a bag of hair—she carries hope. Along the way, past differences fade as the sisters rediscover connection in the face of illness. A quiet, powerful reflection on love, memory, and what we choose to hold on to.
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Tom Grabiak 1 year transplant anniversary

Spotlight a Survivor: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Tom's Story

I intentionally didn’t do a whole lot of reading about my prognosis or survival rates. I just trusted my health care team. I resolved to be a good patient and follow instructions and not introduce any information that might derail the process.
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Crystal and Eric Shaw 2

Mycosis Fungoides: Eric and Crystal's Story (video)

Crystal Shaw cared for her husband, Eric, and their family through his three transplants. They both have wonderful insights to share.
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Cramer-Ashley-kissing Michael

Hepatosplenic T-cell Lymphoma: Michael and Ashlee's story (video)

Mom and son duo reflect on surviving a transplant and managing graft-versus-host disease as a young adult.
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Jim Finley

B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Jim's Story (video)

Veteran, firefighter, and transplant survivor Jim Finley, compares his Iraq War experiences with battling leukemia with a transplant.
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MIrecki-Zac-CarolynB-400x300

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Zac and Carolyn's Story (video)

Therapeutic musician Carolyn Brodginski and Zac Mirecki, stem cell transplant survivor, discuss The Power of Dulcimer Music During Recovery.
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Nancy L - longest living BMT Survivor

Longest Living Transplant Survivor: Nancy' and Barb Lowry.s Story (video)

The longest-living bone marrow transplant survivor in the world, and her twin sister and bone marrow donor, Barb, discuss their history-making transplant in August 1960.
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Mike Riotta

Multiple Myeloma: Michael's Story (video)

Stem cell transplant survivor explains his new role as an advocate for patients’ rights.
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Peter Feinberg

B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Pete Feinberg's Story (Video)

Peter Feinberg came through transplant and graft-versus-host disease, and shares what it took to regain his physically active life after treatment.
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Davell Hays 2005

Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia: Davell's Story

I never expected the medical community to do all the work – I did everything in my power to survive, including growing my own food, exercising, and becoming a partner with my doctor
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Theresa Jons Donor

Donor: Theresa's Story

"I never imagined a simple cheek swab would lead me to donate stem cells. I helped give others a second chance at life, and in the process, discovered just how powerful one act of kindness can be."
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Timina Kikuyu - art house

Sickle Cell Disease: Timina's Story

Growing up, I never saw sickle cell as an issue. I climbed trees, ran around barefoot, and played. I never used sickle cell as a crutch or as an excuse.
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Robert Grove Summary

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): Robert's Story

Hang in there, don't let it overwhelm you and don't look too far ahead.
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Stefania seeing snow for the fist time-1440px

Severe Aplastic Anemia: Stefania's Story

Ecuadorian Onco-Psychologist Draws Strength from Her Patients During Transplant.
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Rob Henslin

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Robert's Story

19+ years after being diagnosed with leukemia, author Rob Henslin tackled a transplant.
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Kayla Spotlight

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Kayla's Story

“My biggest moment of breakdown was when my dad picked me up from the hospital. I’d been holding it together so long that, when I got in the car, I just lost it. My dad said, ‘you saved up all your tears for me…thank you!’”
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Doug Sheriff

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Douglas' Story

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t feel gratitude and appreciation to be here.
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Nancy Dana

Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): Nancy's Story (Video)

Nancy Dana underwent a stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. In this video, she shares 15 helpful lessons she learned about preparing for a transplant, making the hospital stay as comfortable as possible, and strategies for recovering and approaching life after transplant.
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Tyler Spotlight

Follicular Lymphoma: Tyler's Story

I would have been gone without CAR-T. It not only put me into remission, it put me into remission without any long-term side effects!
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Amy Spotlight

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma: Amy's Story

From the very beginning, Amy's experience of being a young mother was shadowed by illness
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Greg Hiron Spotlight

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): Greg's Story

“It’s weird to say this, but illness forced me to make this work/life balance that I’d been working on.”
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Jacob Spotlight

Langerhans Histiocytosis (HLH) - Jacob and Lindsay's Story

Despite 14 hospital stays last year, three-year old Jacob is brimming with energy, mischief and charm.
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Laura Spotlight

Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) - Laura's Story

After two transplants for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, Laura Tiberi does a victory lap!
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Jodi Nelc

Very Severe Aplastic Anemia: A mother's path from caregiver to advocate

Jodi Nelc learned the importance of knowledge and advocacy when her daughter faced a bone marrow transplant and a severe case of graft-versus-host disesase (GVHD).
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Jon Spotlight

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Jon and Julie's Story

A testament to the strength and unwavering love between a husband and wife who served each other as a caregiver.
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Sharon D. Spotlight

Aplastic Anemia: Sharon's Story

"Information is power, it's empowering to know what you're dealing with, whether you're a patient or parent of a child with a disability."
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Jeffrey Spotlight

Lymphoma (DLBCL): Jeff's Story

Ineligible for a stem cell transplant, CAR T cell therapy saved Jeff Evans' life.
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Mary and Jim Spotlight

Follicular Lymphoma: Mary and Jim’s Story

It felt like being in lockdown again. Not that we ever really came out of lockdown – my husband Jim was diagnosed with advanced follicular lymphoma just a few months into the pandemic, so we never stopped wearing masks and avoiding social events.
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Melanie Spotlight

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Melanie's Story

Melanie's transplant experience set her on a new path as a counselor advising other cancer patients.
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Spotlight Survivor: Romayne 2023

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Romayne's Story

At first, a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia seemed like the end of the road.