Vicki rarely took a sick day. Even when her husband had COVID-19 in 2023, she did not get it. However, after Vicki’s multiple blood tests came back flagged after a routine annual checkup, that all changed.
Vicki, a life sciences marketer specializing in blood product testing, tried to figure out the test results herself. “It kept pointing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but I looked at the most common traits, and I didn’t fit any,” she says. “I wanted to dismiss the possibility—who wouldn’t?”
Additional testing, including a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed Vicki had AML. “It was shocking feeling healthy and receiving such a life-threatening diagnosis. I started chemotherapy right away, spending a month in the hospital. The physicians said I had multiple gene mutations, and a bone marrow transplant was my only option for survival.”
Vicki received multiple platelet transfusions but had a bad reaction to one of them, putting her in the ICU with a high fever. After that, she began receiving a pre-infusion routine to ensure her body accepted the matched platelets.
While waiting for a donor, Vicki’s primary transplant physician offered some valuable wisdom. He told her this is a long journey, and it’s more mental than physical. That important message prompted Vicki to look for ways to gain mental strength. That’s when she joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's peer-to-peer program, which matches patients with survivors.
“The survivor I was matched with was a woman just like me, but ten years post-transplant,” Vicki says. “She gave me such hope, and she became my role model and a valuable member of my support team. I encourage others to utilize this incredible program.”
Eventually, the transplant team told me that they found 10 perfect matches from the national registry. “I felt so blessed, Vicki says. “I prayed that one of the matches would be willing and able to be my donor.”
In March 2024, Vicki’s prayers were answered. A 21-year-old woman who was a perfect match for Vicki donated bone marrow, saving Vicki’s life. “I was so incredibly thankful this young woman agreed to be my donor., I look forward to meeting her to thank her,” she says.
Today, Vicki is doing well on her recovery path. She encourages people to stay on top of their health and to get an annual exam. She also believes in sharing success stories. To learn about someone who’s experienced a similar journey leaves a lasting impact. Positive stories can keep patients focused in the most challenging circumstances. And, of course, it is the selfless platelet and bone marrow cell donors that make stories like Vicki’s and so many others possible.
“A giant thank you to all of the donors that make stories like mine possible!” Vicki says. “Donors are changing lives!”
People need people, make a difference in someone’s life by donating blood.
We must rely on each other for the gift of blood, and patients in your community rely on the generosity of Versiti’s blood donors to help. Please consider scheduling an appointment to donate. If this is your first time, donating blood is quick, easy and relatively painless. And, it is a great way to give back and help patients in your community.