Sara Maas

Age: 35
Type of Illness: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Diagnosed: Fall 1998

In the fall of 1998, soon after returning from our honeymoon, I had my doctor check out a persistant but painless bulge in my abdomen. After a series of tests, I was diagnosed with CML. (The bulge was my spleen, grossly enlarged -- a symptom of leukemia.) At twenty-nine years old, I was healthy and happy. This was truly a shock.

A bone marrow transplant (BMT) was my only chance for a cure. Unfortunately, neither of my two sisters proved to be a marrow match for me. So my family and friends generously sponsored bone marrow drives around the country to help find a donor for me. In their efforts, over 2,000 registered donors were added to the National Marrow Donor Program's registry (any of whom may save someone's life someday!). Ultimately just ONE perfect match was found (out of 4.5 million registered donors) through the English registry, and the BMT was scheduled.

I was admitted to Stanford Hospital for my transplant on January 13, 1999. After several life-threatening medical complications and eight weeks in the hospital, I miraculously recovered. After one year, I was feeling healthy again. We are happy and humbled to report that even after one shocking attempted comeback in January 2001 (foiled by a blood transfusion from our European hero), the leukemia has remained at bay. My family and I are now thrilled with uneventful days.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's support of research played a direct role in my recovery during a time in which I would have likely died, and we are incredibly thankful for your hard work to support their cause. You are helping more than you can possible know. Keep it up!!

After having been an honoree for the run team for many seasons, I, with my husband Jason, am elated to have joined TNT as a participant for the 2001 and 2002 Pacific Grove, 2002 Wildflower triathlons. But really my hearts belong to you, the marathon runners. I am happy to be back -- just don't ask me to run a marathon with you.

Here's to you...GO TEAM!