Survivor stories

  • Debbie Meador
    Debbie Meador
    I am a survivor. I had leukemia.
    Blood transfusions were critical to my health and recovery. Thanks to all the blood donors who take the time to do something so important.

    Debbie Meador never thought that her 50th birthday would be followed by a life-changing diagnosis of acute leukemia and the need for a marrow transplant.

    Without a family match, her friends put together Debbie's Dream Team with a mission to educate people about marrow registry, especially among minorities. African-Americans are the least likely minority group to find a match on the national registry and Debbie, too, was unable to find a match.

    After extensive research, Debbie chose to go to Seattle for an experimental treatment that offered her a second chance at life. Her experience was difficult, but nine months later, Debbie returned home. She returned to work last fall in downtown Sacramento.

    She encourages people to donate blood, platelets and plasma and also to sign up for the marrow registry, especially minority ethnicities.

    "I had countless blood transfusions that were critical to my health and recovery. Thank you to everyone who donates blood—it makes a difference."

  • Dominic Mott
    Dominic Mott
    I am a survivor. I had leukemia.
    We are very grateful for our friends at BloodSource and the blood donors – especially the person who donated marrow for our boy. – Margie Mott, mother of Dominic

    When seven year old Dominic Mott relapsed from leukemia last March, the Mott family hit the streets to educate people about marrow registry and blood donation. Community blood and marrow drives were immediately scheduled, but being biracial put Dominic at a disadvantage for finding a matched donor for a marrow transplant.

    The Motts rode a roller coaster of ups and downs for months; daily hopes were dashed by disappointments as they cared for a very sick little boy who just wanted to play. Their prayers were answered when Dominic received a very precious gift from an almost perfectly matched marrow donor on July 11th.

    Dominic's mother Margie shares, "Dominic is doing fantastic. He feels good, he's happy! We are very grateful for our friends at BloodSource and blood donors, and especially the person who donated marrow for our boy."

    Dominic's story is a success, but there are other children in Sacramento and beyond still fighting for their lives. Minority donors can and do make a difference every day.

  • Darnay McMillan
    Darnay McMillan
    I am a survivor. I am living with sickle cell.
    Thanks to the many donors, we get to keep living each day as it comes. – Maya McMillian, mother of Darnay and Darren

    Maya McMillian knew the risk. Early on in her pregnancy, Maya found out she would be having twins. As she prepared to bring two new lives into the world she learned that the children's father had sickle cell disease. Maya was also tested and discovered that she too had the gene and could pass along sickle cell anemia to her children.

    Newborn screening told Maya that one of her two babies, Darnay, had sickle cell. "It wasn't a shock" Maya said. "We knew there was a chance, and we've just lived right through from the beginning." The twins, Darnay and Darren, are now in their eighth year. From simple antibiotics, to transfusions and, most recently, a catheter inserted in her chest, the family deals with Darnay's disease as it comes.

    Though Darnay does not need a bone marrow transplant right now, her history suggests that one could save her life someday. Maya adds, "It's hard sometimes because she doesn't know why. She knows she is sick, but certain things will happen—not being able to swim all the time, being constantly covered up, and all the doctor's appointments, she'll say ‘Mom, do I have to?'"

    It's a stressful lifestyle, but the McMillan family is thankful that Darnay has received all of the transfusions she has needed so far. Maya and Darren pray that others will continue to donate and bless their family with such an incredible gift.