Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, like leukemia or lymphoma. As many as seventy percent of these patients don’t have a compatible match in their family, and must hope to find an unrelated donor. You can help these patients increase their odds by joining the Be The Match Registry®, an international registry of potential matches for those seeking a bone marrow transplant. Today, meet six CHOC patients who have benefited from a bone marrow transplant.
Diego, age 23
I was diagnosed with pre-B Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on January 11th, 2009. Thankfully, I landed in a great hospital that quickly gave me hope and strength to fight. Everything was going perfect. I received one year of intense chemo and about two years of remission chemo. Unfortunately, I relapsed one month before finishing my treatment. I hated the fact that I’d have to start from zero with a whole new treatment that included radiation. I relapsed a second time a few months after receiving radiation. I would see and meet other patients who were diagnosed and finished with treatment in only a couple months. When I talked to my doctor about what the next step was, I was happy because I would be receiving the same treatment as the other patients – I would be receiving a bone marrow transplant. Even though it is a quicker treatment, it is also tougher. The first step was finding a matching donor.
I was very lucky that I found a donor in my family; my sister was a 100 percent match! Finding a donor that matches 100 percent means that your risk of side effects is lower. It was just before Christmas that we got news of the match, so on Christmas Day I gave her a card asking for one more gift – if she could be my bone marrow donor. That Christmas, the whole family cried tears of happiness.
Tori, age 21
I have been a patient at CHOC since I was 19, when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. After my first round of chemo, my doctors determined that receiving a bone marrow transplant would give me the best chance for remission and lessen the chance for relapse. With three possible matches found on the registry, the first person my doctors called backed out. The second person they called said yes but unfortunately the hospital they went to have tests done at made a mistake on a time-sensitive lab that would have to be redone. My doctor didn’t want me to have to wait any longer to undergo a treatment that could possibly save my life. On April 12, 2016, I received a bone marrow transplant with my dad as my donor. I have been in remission ever since!
Aric, age 25
My bone marrow transplant was on April 14, 2017 as part of leukemia treatment. It was kind of difficult, but I was always positive and kept busy by reading, playing video games, and watching my favorite Netflix show, Stranger Things. My family would come over to play games and bring me fresh clothes. My friends would come over and chill with me, bringing things I needed to make me forget about being in the hospital. They also brought my TV from home so I could play my Xbox better. The first month hit me hard with fevers and vomiting, and it’s weird to say, but I got used to that. Now, I have passed the 100-day mark and I’m so happy and I feel better. I just need to follow my doctors’ orders and I will be okay.
Aileen, age 22
I got diagnosed with sickle cell anemia shortly after birth. For years, I was in and out of the hospital due to my pain crises and other health-related problems. Over time all the complications built up and my bones and organs started getting damaged due to excessive amounts of medications, narcotics and blood transfusions. The doctors told me as I grew older that I would have more complications. When I turned 18, they insisted I get a bone marrow transplant. At first, I didn’t want one because I was afraid of chemo and all the obstacles it would bring. As time went on, my health got worse and my pain crises were more frequent. I would be hospitalized for weeks at a time and then once I got discharged, I’d only be home for maybe a week or two before I had to be admitted again. Once I turned 20, I made the decision to go through the transplant process. I was lucky enough that my brother turned out to be my perfect match. On August 26, 2015, I received my brother’s bone marrow. I am now cured and am happier and healthier than ever. I have not had a pain crisis since! Getting my bone marrow transplant was the best decision I’ve ever made!
Ralph, age 24
I am a two-time cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 14, and relapsed with secondary acute myeloid leukemia at age 19. As soon as my treatment began I was told I was going to need a bone marrow transplant. The bone marrow I received came from the umbilical cord blood of two different European children, not from a single donor’s bone marrow. This experience has taught me that even though the donation pool is great and diverse, there is still more we can be doing to help save lives, not only domestically but also overseas.
Kamron, age 20
My bone marrow donor saved my life! I’ve been in remission ever since I received my donor’s bone marrow. I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 17 years old and kept relapsing post-treatment. It wasn’t until I was transplanted with a new bone marrow that I’ve been in remission the longest. Please register today and you could help save someone’s life!
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CHOC Hospital was named one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings and ranked in the cancer specialty.
