I was diagnosed with aplastic anemia at 19, in 2001 — I was starting my first semester of university and months after moving out on my own to a new city. I was away from my family, my support system, and everything familiar. Suddenly, I was faced with a life-threatening illness I barely understood, and the reality that my body wasn’t producing enough blood to keep me alive.
The first years were a rollercoaster. I went through immunosuppressive therapy, endured countless hospital visits, and navigated the fear and uncertainty of an illness that had no easy answers. By 2004, I was in remission and my condition had stabilized, and for a time, life felt possible again. I went on to build a life I had dreamed of: having two beautiful daughters, completing my psychology & social work degrees and starting my private therapy practice.
Then, in 2022, my world shifted again. I relapsed. My body could no longer sustain itself, and I became transfusion dependent. The doctors told me that a stem cell transplant was my only option. It was terrifying, humbling, and overwhelming — but also a chance at life. On May 1, 2024, I received my transplant.
This journey has impacted me in every way. Physically, I’ve experienced the limits of my body and the fragility of life. Mentally, I’ve faced fear, uncertainty, and the challenge of finding hope when the future felt so precarious. Spiritually, I’ve learned about surrender, gratitude, and the interconnectedness of life — about how someone else’s selfless act of donation gave me not just survival, but the chance to continue being present for my daughters.
I’ve learned to value resilience, presence, and the depth of human connection. I’ve learned that vulnerability can coexist with strength, and that the love of family, friends, and strangers alike is life-giving. Most of all, I’ve learned that I — and my daughters — are here today because of donors, whose generosity is a gift that I can never take for granted.
Sharing my story is my way of raising awareness about aplastic anemia, the importance of blood and stem cell donation, and the incredible impact donors have on families like mine. If my experience can inspire even one person to register as a donor or support someone going through a similar journey, it feels like a way to honour those who gave me this second chance.
