National Bone Marrow Transplant LINK (nbmtLINK)Archives

Giving Back and Grateful: Board Member Beth Ades in Action

By Beth Ades

Board member and transplant survivor Beth Ades turned long, sleepless nights of fear and gratitude into a powerful mission to give back. In this moving reflection, she shares how 85 life-saving transfusions, a “rebirthday” blood drive, and eventually meeting two of her platelet donors deepened her belief that what we share—our blood, our hope, our compassion—matters more than what separates us.

Two Time Survivor Tom is Here to Listen, Learn and Help

Two-time cancer survivor Tom Anderson knows the power of knowledge and community in healing. Now serving on the nbmtLINK Board, Tom is dedicated to supporting patients, caregivers, and survivors through education, connection, and compassion. His mission is simple: to listen, learn, and help others find hope.

AML Diagnosis Ten Years After 9/11: Lewis Christie’s Story

Re-Posted From: HealthTree Foundation “I was at 9/11 that day. I watched those planes fly into the towers,” Lewis Christie said. “I watched those planes fly into the towers, and I was there every day thereafter for over a year breathing in those carcinogens.” Ten years later, at the age of 71, Lewis was diagnosed with […]

The Unexpected Spark that Led to a Life-Saving Drive

By Meg Murphy

After meeting a little girl named Clementine during her treatment, college student Meg Murphy was inspired to turn compassion into action. What started as volunteering grew into hosting a stem cell donor drive on campus—adding over 500 new donors to the registry and even leading to a lifesaving match. Meg’s story proves that one person’s spark can ignite hope for countless families.

A Story of Hope (Part Two)

By Mollie Kallen

When I first shared my journey with AML and recovery after a bone marrow transplant, I thought the hardest part was behind me. But life had other plans. Just months after returning home, I relapsed. Still, I held on to the words of my care team: “We’ve got you.” With their support and the strength of a renewed treatment plan—including three Donor Lymphocyte Infusions and targeted chemotherapy—I’m grateful to say I’m back in remission. This chapter of my journey isn’t just about surviving; it’s about rising again with purpose. My mission now is to help others become fierce advocates in their cancer journeys, just as I’ve learned to be in mine.

Changed, Challenged and Thriving

By Judy Fine Edelstein

In this deeply moving account, neurologist Judy Fine Edelstein shares her life-altering journey after a sudden diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia at age 61. From initial shock and grueling treatments, through a stem cell transplant and complications, to finding renewed purpose through education and advocacy, Judy’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. Now a bioethics graduate, teacher, and dedicated volunteer, she reflects on her transformation with raw honesty and hope. Her powerful narrative reminds us all that even in the face of illness, we can adapt, heal, and thrive.

Living with Graft Versus Host Disease: How I Stopped Fighting Cancer and Started Healing

By Brad Buchanan

In this raw and honest account, Brad Buchanan shares the painful, complicated reality of living with Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) — a life-threatening condition born from the very treatment that saved him from cancer. From blindness and debilitating pain to the long, unpredictable recovery, Buchanan sheds light on the physical and emotional cost of survival, reminding readers that “beating cancer” is often just the beginning of a much longer battle.

Be the Match connected a Seattle man with donor in Germany

By Bonnie Rochman
Reposted with permission from the Fred Hutch News Service

When Rich Hurst was diagnosed with aggressive leukemia, his only hope lay in a stem cell transplant from a stranger thousands of miles away. Selina Rüecker, a young woman in Germany, answered the call, donating her stem cells and giving Rich a second chance. Two years later, the pair met in person for the first time, sharing an emotional reunion that underscored their remarkable connection.

Racing to Raise Awareness

By Beth Ades

Building a race car is our “garage therapy,” where family and friends come together. The 2021 season started with fear, not excitement, as I was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). After months of uncertainty, a 19-year-old stem cell donor saved my life with a perfect match, and I had a successful transplant on February 17, 2022.

Inspired by my journey, we created the Blood Tribute Car, painted red and named O+. This car honors blood donors and my stem cell donor, highlighting the importance of donation.

Not Every Story is a Horror Story

Mollie Kallen received a life-saving bone marrow transplant in the fall of 2023. Feel the need to be inspired? This blog will offer hope and assurance that you CAN get through it all and thrive. Meet Mollie and know that you are not alone.

Taking Back My Life

By Ron Peperoni, Jr.

I just want to give everyone some hope. I was written off for dead by 40 doctors in 11 months. It was finally the 41st doctor to correctly diagnose me. In those 11 months, I had 266 doctor appointments, labs, scans, etc.

And I never gave up. I went from a healthy 31-year-old weighing 170 lbs. to 110 lbs. Just by luck I landed in my wonderful lymphoma doctor’s hands, and he threw the kitchen sink at me. I then had a bone marrow transplant in March 2012. Then I experienced horrible endless GVHD of the skin. I’ve had both hips and both shoulders, and all of my teeth replaced. My eyes don’t make tears, I had shingles, C. Diff. Colitis—the list goes on. It has been a very crazy 10 years.

Changing Perspective on Numbers and Words

By Janet Walsh

Number and Word – neither are significant in and of themselves, right? At least that is how I looked at them until March 11, 2022 when they took on significance in my life beyond my wildest imagination.

Three Bone Marrow Transplants in One Family: A Struggle to Overcome the Impact of Cancer

By Lauren Smith

Ten years ago, our youngest son, Gabriel, had a bone marrow transplant due to being born with a rare disease, aplastic anemia. Immediately after he was born, we were flown to St. Louis to get treatment for him. We were blessed to have a 19-year-old donor from Germany. Overall, Gabriel did well with transplant. A year and a half later, we discovered he had cataracts but otherwise he managed well.

Sharing the Road Less Traveled

By Lela Prewitt

Those of us who’ve had a stem cell transplant and those who love and care for us are definitely on a road less traveled. More than 50,000 stem cell transplants take place globally each year. Just under 5,000 were reported in the US in 2021. We’re in a bit of an exclusive club.

Angela’s Answer to Remission: A CAR T-Cell Therapy Success Story

By Angela Keith

In September of 2019, I was diagnosed with Appendix Cancer, which I have been told is very rare. So, at my six-month checkup in June 2021, I received the news through a medical portal that I had either leukemia or lymphoma. This was not the best way to find out you have cancer. I contacted my local oncologist to obtain additional information. The nurse then told me on the phone that they were meaning to call me about my PET scan results.

Christine Musso: Four Time Cancer Fighter and Teacher of Survivor Empowerment

By: Jennifer Gillette, LMSW of nbmtLINK

I had the pleasure of chatting with Christine one afternoon after she reached out to us sharing a picture of her sister (BMT donor), daughter and herself sporting their GVHD awareness bracelets with pride. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about her story as Christine shared that she was a 17-year survivor post-transplant. I am so glad we talked further as I know anyone on this journey would be inspired by her.