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Category Archives: Blog

Ron Peperoni, Jr.

Taking Back My Life

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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.

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Lauren Smith

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

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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.

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Lela Prewitt

Sharing the Road Less Traveled 

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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.

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Angela

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

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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.

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Christine Musso Four-time Cancer Fighter

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

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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.

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Nuances of a New Normal (7 of 7)

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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.

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David Weinstein

Nuances of a New Normal (6 of 7)

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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.

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Nuances of a New Normal (5 of 7)

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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.

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Nuances of a New Normal (4 of 7)

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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.

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Nuances of a New Normal (3 of 7)

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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.

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Nuances of a New Normal (2 of 7)

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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.

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Nuances of a New Normal (1 of 7)

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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.

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Portrait of Bridget Casey

Two Heroes

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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.

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In the Waiting. . .

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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?

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Amanda Fer

Coping with Relapse

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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.

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My Blood Brother

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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.

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A Donor’s Story

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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.

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