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.
Category Archives: Blog
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By David Weinstein
David Weinstein shares his heart, grit, soul and bone marrow transplant journey with us in this 7-part series. Each blog post will inspire you regardless of where you are on your journey. So sit back and feel the sun on YOUR face as you soak up this very special series.
By: Bridget Casey
Two transplants later, surivvor and chaplain Bridget Casey gives back as a courier for Be The Match, serving in thanks for all she has been given.
By: Jennifer Gillette, LMSW of nbmtLINK
There are so many things in life that we need to be patient and wait for. When we wait for health to return, the pandemic to end or significantly improve, or when we wait for any crisis to be over, can we shift our focus to invest in the future we hope for as we try to cope with the present situation?
By: Anna Holness
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to concentrate all of your energy on getting well instead of having to deal with finances and other problems when you are ill?
By: Martha Nielsen
Martha conquered “the beast called Cancer.” Facing B-cell NHL, multiple approaches to treatment and ultimately a BMT, she contacted the nbmtLINK, especially for the peer-support program. She has celebrated over fifteen “second birthdays” and volunteers in the LINK’s peer-support program. You will be uplifted by her victory.
By: Jennifer Gillette, LMSW of the nbmtLINK
A tender topic, Jen Gillette shares the truth about sexuality post-transplant. She will make you feel less alone, comforted with ideas sure to please.
By: Juanita McReynolds
Twenty-four years as a survivor of AML, today brings Juanita gratitude, patience, compassion, and “tremendous” growth in her faith in God. Learn how she honors brother’s “incredibly generous gift” by helping others who are on a similar journey.
By Amanda Ferraro
As you read her blog, you will learn how, after the first shocking moments of the diagnosis she grabs hold and eventually defeats AML leukemia – twice! A successful BMT and a “mind over matter” attitude guided her determination. Read about her success.
By George Bailey & Jennifer Gillette LMSW
George Bailey reflects on his CAR-T cell Therapy experience for his Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
By Nick Hudson
Nick was a perfect match for a four-year-old “toe-head” boy named Cameron who had leukemia, and needed a bone marrow transplant. I was “the match.” Cam’s transplant was successful and his parents told him he had a “blood brother.” You will enjoy learning how these “strangers” became friends.
By Jennifer Barish
The power of hope and stress reduction literally helped save this young mom and wife.
By: Karen Raman
Follow Karen’s cancer treatment journey and the multiple changes that occurred along her route. Lessons learned: you are your own best advocate; stay on top of your meds; and most important of all, keeping a positive outlook is at least fifty percent of the battle.
By: Jean C. Carroll
Discover how the support of community and extended family and a strong faith carries this young family on a seventeen-year journey into the unknown world of bone marrow transplant. There is a happy ending to their story.
By: Peter Thomason
Peter shares how he found his way to handling the different issues that accompanied his post-BMT challenges. His discovery of Zen, a Japanese word for “meditation,” brought a sense of peace to his living each day as a cancer survivor.
By: Jennifer Gillette and Lola Reich
Photopheresis is a wonderful option for transplant patients. Lola Reich answers Jen Gillette’s questions.
By: Maureen Sonntag
A beloved fourth grade substitute teacher and a mother’s struggle with cancer opens the door to Maureen’s commitment to one day donating bone marrow for a stranger’s transplant … right place, right time, strong faith and a fond memory of Mrs. O’Reilly.
Lewis & Merle Christie
Lewis and his wife, Merle tackled his AML diagnosis together. Read their story of being “recalled to life” more than once by transplants, the support of family, friends, and medical personnel; and their sheer determination that Lewis would survive … period!