My name is Lisa, and I am a 31-year-old from New Jersey. Just weeks before my diagnosis, I completed the Brooklyn Half Marathon and was training for the New York City Marathon. I felt healthy and never imagined anything was wrong. It was only because I kept up with my routine annual physical and bloodwork that abnormal results were discovered, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Since then, my life has changed in ways I never could have imagined. I have completed my first round of intensive chemotherapy and am now preparing for a stem cell transplant, which offers me the best chance for a cure. Because my best match may come from an unrelated donor, I am passionate about raising awareness of the importance of joining the NMDP stem cell donor registry. One person choosing to register could save my life or someone else's.
If sharing my story encourages even one person to schedule their annual bloodwork, ask questions about their health, or join the stem cell donor registry, then something positive can come from this journey. Blood cancers don't always look the way people expect, and they can affect anyone, even someone who feels healthy.
Thank you for sharing my story to help raise awareness for AML, stem cell donation, and the lifesaving importance of early detection.
Lisa
acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
