Inspirational Stories

In 2001, my wife and I had not been able to get pregnant after five years of marriage. We decided to look into adoption. As part of the application process, we were required to go for routine bloodwork. Soon after, I got a call at my desk at work that I needed to see an oncologist. I was informed I had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), a rare form of leukemia. I soon spent seven weeks at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center undergoing full-body radiation, high-dose chemotherapy, and a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor found through the national donor marrow program. 

Thank God, my life was saved and a few years later, our original dream was achieved as my wife gave birth to happy, healthy twins. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was a tremendous help, especially an l & l staff member, Pam Formica, who has become not just a contact but a friend. The road has not been easy, but I am beyond grateful and wish to continue to support LLS in any way that I can! Thank you, and God bless.