When a loved one is sick with a life-threatening disease, knowing a treatment exists is comforting. But not everyone can afford the life-saving treatment they need. They must rely on the generous contributions of others. They rely on people like you.

The National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP) is dedicated to making transplant possible for all patients in need. Be The Match Foundation^® supports our work by raising funds to help patients who need an unrelated donor bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant.

Ajani was just 2 years old when he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. He needed an umbilicalcord blood transplant to treat his life-threatening disease.

The National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP) was there to help. Ajani’s transplant center requested search assistance funds to cover the testing needed to select the best cord blood unit, the urgent testing was completed, a cord blood unit was requested and Ajani had the transplant he needed.

Lauren Fleming of Marvin, North Carolina, serves as the 2011 March of Dimes National Ambassador, along with her parents, Nikki and Densel. Lauren was born in 2004 at just 26 weeks, weighing 2 pounds, 1 ounce, and doctors prepared her parents for the worst. During her 5½-month stay in newborn intensive care, Lauren was treated for respiratory distress and underwent multiple surgeries related to a damaged vocal cord and a heart defect.

Maurice Snell, 23, has beaten the odds. A young man living with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- commonly known as autism -- he has a college degree and a job.

For many with autism, such achievements are beyond reach. Maurice, however, exhibits milder effects of the complex neurological disorder. Despite that advantage, Maurice’s future was uncertain for most of his childhood. Before his first birthday, his parents, Jennifer and Willie, noticed a change.

In the past few years Gary Bickford has become one of the most popular contractors on the beaches of Delaware. His business, Northwind Construction, has flourished, and he has no trouble keeping busy with the work he loves.

But four years ago, after surviving a brain aneurysm, doctors thought his recovery would be limited at best he would spend the rest of his life sweeping floors and emptying wastebaskets. Fortunately for the 51-year-old, his then-fiancé, M.L., was determined to find a rehabilitation program that would overlook the grim prognosis.

David was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. In David’s case, the fluid put pressure on the optic nerve and caused impaired vision. Since birth, David has been legally blind. He also has mild cerebral palsy that affects his legs, making it difficult to walk long distances.

Scottie Gaither is a “can do” kind of kid. He’s a bright, curious and determined second grader who greets everyone with an engaging smile. He’s quick to talk about how he loves to swim and play soccer, and do things with his family, especially with his Dad. Meeting 8-year-old Scottie today, it’s hard to imagine the toddler his family and friends recall, who was diagnosed with “severe autism” at age two. Last spring, he was named the top first grade student in his class, a distinction he takes in stride.

Jessica Segal doesn’t need to watch “Project Runway” to learn about life as an aspiring fashion designer; her life already mirrors that of any finalist on the hit television series. A student at the Art Institute of Dallas, Jessica has been working feverishly to design and create a series of garments for an upcoming fashion show at the school her “final exam” before graduating in December. But for this 21-year-old, spending hours sketching and sewing is a dream come true; she’s wanted to be a fashion designer for as long as she can remember. The fact that Jessica has physical disabilities never presented much of an obstacle. The extra challenge fueled her.

When I was growing up, I always went to my older sister for advice. I always looked up to her as a great role model and friend, wishing I was half as smart as she was. She allowed me to tag along as her shadow for many years.

Now, the tables have turned; it is my turn to show her what a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle can do to aid in recovering from breast cancer. My story begins six years ago. I was a healthy 46 year-old with no family history of breast cancer. After coming home from the gym I noticed in the mirror while doing a breast self exam, that one of my breasts seemed to pucker when I lifted my arm.

I was never one to do a self exam since I have such fatty breast tissue. But I did one in September 2008 on a whim and to my surprise there was a lump. I waited a week or so to go to the doctor since I had my period, I prayed it was just the normal changes that happen during that time. I was wrong. I went to primary that immediately sent me for an ultrasound, followed by a mammogram and a BSGI, all done in one day. I knew right away that I had cancer.

Since I have been an adult and a mom of an 11 and 8 year old, people have asked me, "how do you stay so thin and eat so much?" I have always said, "I am a genetic freak of nature." I have always been healthy, eaten organic, and have never gotten sick.

In February 2010, I felt a bump in each of my breasts. I went to my obstetrician and she gave me a referral to get an ultrasound. She told me it was probably my implants as I didn't fit the profile of breast cancer. The ultrasound showed that the lumps were the valves from my implants, but it also showed something that didn't look right so they did a mammogram. Nothing showed with the mammogram, so they did a more extensive ultrasound and decided to do a biopsy.

I have a wonderful husband, and two little girls. I have always been very active. I don't drink or smoke, and not one woman in our family that we know of has ever had breast cancer. Once in a blue moon I would randomly check for lumps in my breast. I was in the shower doing a self breast exam, when I felt something that was different than anything I had ever felt before. My stomach sank. I was 31 years old, how could it be cancer?

I was diagnosed in 2008 at the age of 46 with Ducal Cell Carcinoma -- Stage 2B. My husband and family were shocked since cancer doesn’t run in my family. I have always been diligent in having my annual mammogram, even though there is no family history. November 2007 was no exception. As usual, I got a clean bill of health. So in January 2008, when I inadvertently discovered a lump on my right breast the size of a grape, I got a bit nervous and went to see my doctor.

In 2005, Carl and Kelly Mitchum were thrilled to learn that they were expecting their first child. Like most first time parents they began to make plans for their new baby, a son. Kelly had this perfect picture of their perfect family with a perfect baby boy.

Hi! My name is Romelle Slaughter. I'm 34, live in Des Moines, Iowa, and I am a young professional with diabetes. I was diagnosed in 1998 several days before I left home to attend college. For the next decade, I have struggled like many young diabetics in managing my diabetes, feeling like no one in my age group understood the challenges of being a young professional and a having a life-long chronic disease.

Maxwell was diagnosed in utero, at 20 weeks gestation, with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We were scared and confused since we are two young, healthy people. The prenatal diagnosis gave us the chance to meet with the cardiologists and surgeons prior to Maxwell's birth and make some decisions about what type of treatment we would choose for him. As it turned out, our local children's hospital had recently hired a new surgeon, who specialized in minimally invasive treatment of HLHS.

Hi, my name is Ann Lengel and I have a grandson who was born with HLHS. What a shock after having four other healthy grandchildren! Zachary is my youngest daughter's only child. She took care of herself throughout the whole pregnancy, but was told at about 24 weeks that her son had this condition. We were in shock, to say the least, but I live by the belief that God doesn't give us any more than we can handle.

Emmanuelle Caron Ritchie was born on February 8, 2003, with tetralogy of Fallot. When her mother, Nicole, was 18 weeks pregnant, she went for the routine ultrasound at Northampton OB/Gyn, and found out that there "could be something wrong with the baby's heart." Nicole's doctor decided that she should have a second level ultrasound at 22 weeks at Bay State Hospital in Springfield, MA, where the machines were more precise.

“I wanted to show myself and my kids that no matter what age you are, you can try something outside of your comfort zone. Even if it doesn’t go as you hoped, it’s something to add to your life and a good story to tell,” she said. Somebody else captured the crown when the pageant was held at Hanscom Air Force Base on May 2, 2009, but Settele was glad for the experience.

Taking MS to New Heights. Literally -- Lori Schneider didn’t tell anyone she had Multiple Sclerosis until six months after she received the diagnosis in 1999 (and then it was just family and her best friends). Fast-forward ten years, and anyone who reads the paper, surfs the Web, or watches TV knows. News outlets from BBC to NBC covered Lori’s May 23 climb of Mount Everest, the first successful ascent of the 29,035-foot peak – the tallest in the world -- by someone with MS.

When Cynthia Collington was first diagnosed with MS, in 1997, her doctor told her she’d be in a wheelchair in six months. “I laughed and said, ‘No, I won’t,’” Cynthia recalled “You’re not going to take away my legs—my most valuable assets. I’m not giving up my legs.” She proceeded to walk up to 10 miles a day for 10 years then switched to a tread-climber. “Thirteen years later, I’m still walking, still exercising, still moving,” she says.

Kayla Pinard is everything you imagine a little girl to be. She is a petite little lady, painfully shy to strangers but with a look in her eye that means mischief is lurking. She is such a typical a little girl that it is hard to believe that she ever was anything else. But typical is not how her life began. At her twenty-week ultrasound, the Pinards got news that every parent dreads to hear. Something somehow had gone wrong during her development.

Heather Hinrichsen’s Fight to Win design for Parkinson’s Awareness Month is now featured on a t-shirt being worn by hundreds of people throughout the US. She submitted her design to the PDF Parkinson’s Awareness Month T-Shirt Contest and received over 800 of the 1,900 votes, beating four other designs. What’s the story behind her design and how did she do it?

Heidi Krieger became part of the LLS family when her daughter Grace was diagnosed with leukemia. Here in her words is the story of a survivor, her daughter Grace.

Loring Leeds shares his personal experience as a cancer survivor and AIDS patient. After participating in research at City of Hope he is cancer free and the AIDS virus is undetectable. He and John J. Rossi, Ph.D., chair and professor of molecular biology, discuss the research and its impact.

Jazz singer Felena Bunn shares how the American Kidney Fund saved her life by Kate Howard
March 17, 2010

By age of 25, the glorious voice of Chicago jazz singer Felena Bunn had taken her to every continent on the globe except Africa. She was saving Africa for a special trip, a homecoming of sorts for this African-American woman. A stroke in 2001, at age 26, caused by high blood pressure put the trip on hold. Her doctors couldn’t determine the cause, but recommended Bunn improve her diet, increase exercise and lose weight. So, she did—and the fast-track lifestyle that comes with success in the music business had to slow down, too.

Brooke was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS, for short. It is a condition on the autism spectrum that has those with it exhibiting some, but not all, of the symptoms associated with classic autism. This can include difficulty socializing with others, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli.  Just before she turned 4 years old. I started noticing that there was something off about Brooke before she was even 1 but at that age we just thought she would grow out of these things. Around the age of 2 was when I really started to worry. She wasn’t acting like other kids her age. She wasn’t talking much except for copying words and phrases that she heard all the time from us. She wasn’t communicating her needs and she wasn’t playing the same as other kids or taking an interest in playing with other kids.

Kate Adamson has something important to say to stroke survivors and their families. And a large part of her message is how she is now able to say anything at all. In 1995, at the age of 33, Kate’s life seemed totally in control. A New Zealand native, she was living the American dream — a five bedroom house in a Southern California beach town, a loving husband and two healthy and happy young daughters. She exercised regularly, watched what she ate, and was about to start a personal training business. One day she suddenly felt dizzy. She lost focus and balance. Within minutes, she was unable to speak or move.

“If you ask 10 people on the street—would they know the symptoms [of stroke]? Maybe one,” says Eugene, whose story highlights the need for greater stroke awareness.

June 15^th was an unusual night for this 34 year old Wall Street employee. Instead of immediately going home after work, he first went out to have a drink with coworkers. After arriving home safely, he went to sleep, only to be awoken by a terrible headache. He took a Tylenol and headed back to bed.

I joined the CCA Voices & Buddy program because I want to give back. I have always been an advocate for cancer awareness, but my desire and passion has been heightened since my mother's death. My mother's battle with colon cancer was a journey of overcoming fear with courage and faith.

I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer (T3N0M0) on August 31, 1999, at the age of 44. I had missed all the warning signs. I had two uncles, one aunt and a cousin who all had colon cancer, and yet I never made the connection. I also had neglected to have a regular full physical for over seven years.

My name is Candace Henley; I am a 41 yr old mother of 5 Daughters
Stage IIB Colon Cancer
Diagnosed: June 27, 2003

I often tell people that I feel like my life has been hit by a hurricane that went undetected. When it was all over, I was left with devastation that hit all corners of my life: physically, emotionally, financially, and psychologically.

Jodie discovered a cancerous tumor in her colon when she had her first colonoscopy at the age of 37. She emphasizes how young people need to know about getting screened. Five years ago, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with colon cancer after having passed a blood clot on a business trip.I was single, active and had a successful business career. I traveled, was involved in the local social scene, had great friends and a wonderful family connection.

Tom, a frontiersman and adventurer, made an expedition to the South Pole after surviving stage III colon cancer. Tom Davenport is not your average cancer survivor. A self-proclaimed frontiersman, Davenport is a traveler born and bred. For a man who honeymooned in the Arctic Circle and dragged 40-pound tires behind himself while running to stay in shape, it only made sense that after conquering the southern frontier of his colon, he would head to the actual South Pole in Antarctica, the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth.

“The energy generated by these conferences will have a wellness ripple effect throughout all those touched by the attendees when they go home. For sure an event that will ‘improve the lives of people living with mood disorders.’ What a concept. It is re­ally a blessing for me to be here at the conference. I guarantee you that I’ll do a world more good with what I’ve gained from the conference. Thank you! You’re helping many through me.”

~ 2009 conference participant

“You are part of an organization that is a very valu­able resource. When Joe was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your website was there to give us the information we were so desperate for, as well as to help Joe find a local support group. I am hopeful that someday there will be a real cure for this horrible disease that took him from us way too soon.

Thanks again...I appreciate it.”

~ Sue Kinner

In June of 2000, I received shocking news. My doctor walked into my hospital room and calmly told me that I had pancreatic cancer and surgery needed to be performed as soon as possible. He also pointed out that I had jaundice, which explained why the white portions of my eyes were yellow. I remember staring at him in disbelief. I thought, "Oh no, I can't have the big C. Not me!"

At 5 1/2 years old, Ethan is really like any other little boy. He thinks playing with friends is the best part of preschool. He knows if dad says "no", to go ask mom. He loves playing video games, playing outside with his friends, playing soccer, watching football games with dad, and going to the park. Ethan also knows he has something called cystic fibrosis. He knows this is why he has to take pills before he eats, why his sinuses are so bad, why he has so many medications and therapies to do, and why he has special doctors.

My name is Emily and I'm 15 years old and a type 1 diabetic since February 21, 2000. The day I was diagnosed was all a little hazy, I just woke up to go to school, ended up throwing up and it only became worse the whole day. By night I was throwing up every 15 minutes no matter what, which is when I was taken to the hospital. There I waited for a really long time before they took me to see a doctor, but all I remember of that night was lying on a bed and going up an elevator before I woke up the next day in the hospital.

Chloe was born with only 2 heart chambers, no septum which separates the left and right side of the heart. One side of her heart was enlarged and the other was under developed.

My husband and I spent the first few days after the diagnosisat the hospital with Emma. The three of us were plunged into an intense course in biochemistry, physiology, and nutrition. Emma fought tears as she asked the diabetes educator, "Will I die? Will I be able to have children?"

"This was the most important experience I have had since I was first diagnosed -- I finally found others who understood -- even without having to say a thing. I don't feel so alone. " "The conference turned out to be much, much, much better than what I expected. The speakers, the workshops were fantastic. I have a better understanding of my son's illness. Thank you! " "The breakout session choices / options were excellent. ‘Ask the Professional’ was the best ever at a conference. " "The information, the people, the hope! Well done! " "The variety of speakers and peer roundtable sessions were great. " "Really motivational keynotes just excellent! 

Getting regular screening tests is the best way for women to lower their risk of dying from breast cancer. Screening tests can find breast cancer early, when it's most treatable. Unfortunately, access to screening is a major barrier for women who live in rural areas. Susan G. Komen for the Cure currently provides funding to West Virginia University Mary Babb Cancer Center to develop small media campaigns to promote Bonnie’s Bus.

Navigating your way through a complex health system is often times challenging. This is especially true for someone who is uninsured or underinsured. Susan G. Komen for the Cure funds the Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County, Inc. This collaboration includes the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, 12 non-profit “safety-net” clinics, and five community hospitals.

Over the past twenty years, great improvements have been made in the treatment of breast cancer. As a result, the number of breast cancer survivors continues to rise. There are about 2.5 million survivors alive in the U.S. today! Unfortunately, many women undergoing treatment are hard pressed financially.

Mary Carnahan has more reason than most to feel sorry for herself. She suffers from kidney disease and must be hooked up to a dialysis machine three times weekly. She also has emphysema and needs a walker and infinite reserves of patience to get around. So, when a flood last June ravaged the modest Cedar Rapids home she and her husband Carroll shared, no one would have blamed her if she had belly-ached a bit. But that’s just not who she is: “Oh, I was upset that I lost everything in the house – and the house!” says Carnahan, 70, who had been married 45 years.

Give up a kidney to keep her 29-year-old cousin alive? No problem. Give up Diet Dr. Pepper to prepare for the transplant surgery? Now that was a real sacrifice. Darlene Navarette found out at an annual New Year’s Day family get together at her grandmother’s house that her cousin Holly Miyagawa, needed a kidney transplant. Navarette offered hers on the spot. The successful transplant surgery was performed two months later in March of 2000.

To Joe Abruzzese, Chuck Fruit was more than a friend. He was a hero, who wore his power -- and his pain -- ever so lightly. A top marketing executive at Coca Cola and a kidney transplant recipient, Fruit, who died last year, also happened to be a champion fundraiser and passionate cheerleader in his role as NKF’s Chairman. So when he asked Abruzzese,president of sales for Discovery Communications, to chair the Springtime in New York Gala at Lincoln Center, it was a done deal.

Stories of Caring Katelyn Marie Hall, from Leesburg, Virginia, was born prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing less than a pound and measuring the length of a ballpoint pen. “We were told she had about a 5 percent chance of surviving,” says her dad, Michael. In the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), Katelyn faced many challenges common to babies born too soon. After 5 long months, Ashley and Michael were finally able to bring their daughter home. In many ways, Katelyn is a typical little girl — she loves to run, jump and climb, and play outside with her dog Sequoia.

This is Brody Miller with his mother. Like most 5 year old boys, Brody’s day consists of going to Kindergarten,playing with friends, watching TV, and just being active! To look at Brody, you would never know that a few months ago he was in a doctor’s office, and was facing the possibility of going blind.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2008 National Goodwill Ambassador is Abbey Umali of Redlands, Calif., a lively and articulate 8-year-old with a form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. “Abbey is precocious and charismatic,” MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said.

Karin was the Support Group leader in Edmonds, WA until she moved out of the country. She indicates the Association was very helpful when she was first diagnosed with endometriosis. At that time she bought one of our books and found it immensely valuable. She enjoyed the support group meetings, "It was so special to have a group of women who truly understood what I was going through and could empathize with my situation".

Pamela was diagnosed with severe endometriosis over 20 years ago. She has had many surgeries to "treat" the disease. It has caused her great heartache throughout her life and left her unable to conceive a child. It has also wreaked havoc on her professional and personal life. Pamela writes us to indicate that the Endometriosis Association has been a lifeline for her over the years. She writes, "They have tenaciously worked to promote self-education, raise awareness of the disease and its effects, share knowledge and information, and support those that suffer.

My husband, Dr. John Cravero, lost his mother to pancreatic cancer in November 1999. When we first met in the summer of 2007, I could see the impact that the loss of his mom still had on him even 8 years after her passing, so I wanted to learn more about the disease so that I could have a better understanding of what his family had gone though. As we were getting to know each other, we talked a lot about his mom and what they had all experienced following her diagnosis and journey through the disease.

Sharon Belvin was only 22 years old when she learned she had late-stage metastatic melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Despite undergoing a series of treatments that left her body ravaged and her spirit exhausted, her cancer kept coming back, each time worse than before.

At age 44, Christine Sable had few worries about her cancer risk, especially since no one in her immediate or extended family had a history of cancer. This mother of two, wife, and full-time real estate professional was leading an active, healthy life. But then she received some shocking news that sent her and her family into a tailspin. After a few months of minor, persisting symptoms—mild abdominal discomfort that she easily could have ignored—Christine made what she thought would be a routine visit to her doctor.

Lindsey was eight years old when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “I didn’t know what Alzheimer’s was exactly, but I knew it was bad,” the 14-year-old said. Her father’s onset of Alzheimer’s at the age of 50 changed her family forever. Story: Lindsey was eight years old when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “I didn’t know what Alzheimer’s was exactly, but I knew it was bad,” the 14-year-old said. Her father’s onset of Alzheimer’s at the age of 50 changed her family forever.

For Kris, a diagnosis for her forgetfulness came as a relief. She now knew what she was dealing with: Alzheimer's disease. She was only 46. I think there comes a point in everyone’s life when we pause to reflect on the past, realize the present, and look to the future. That happened for me at the age of 46. I’d been married for over 20 years, our son was in his first year of college, I was happy in my job and my husband was looking forward to retirement. We were all healthy, tried to exercise, eat right and live an active life.

“I wasn’t able to attend summer camp because of my asthma”, says Laura Delaney, American Lung Association Volunteer Camp Director. So as an adult, I wanted to make sure all children with asthma had an opportunity to experience a traditional camping experience.

Mikayla is 10 years old and is in the fifth grade at Trinity Christian School. For six years, she has been a Girl Scout and also participates on the cheerleading squad. After ten months of pain and barely able to move, Mikayla was diagnosed with pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 3 years old. 

As an active fundraiser, Sharon Dodge talks about her MS all the time. But she had a shocking moment during a recent conversation. She was diagnosed with MS a dozen years ago. “Wow. I just don’t think about it. It’s just a part of life,” she said. The ability to think about things other than her illness didn’t come easy at first. Sharon was diagnosed at 30 while stationed in Spain with her husband Bill, a naval aviator, and their three-year-old son Tyler.

We’ve all heard it’s better to give than receive — but Cami Walker is finding out just how much better. Walker, a small-business consultant in Los Angeles, was a newlywed, newly diagnosed with MS, and spent much of late 2006 and early 2007 in the hospital with horrific pain. While the docs gave her drugs, a friend gave her an odd bit of advice: Give 29 gifts in 29 days. “I was like, ‘Ooookay, whatever. I can’t even walk. How is giving things away going to help me?’ And she’s like, ‘Just try it, it might help.’” So she did. And it did. Not right away, though. Walker forgot about her friend’s suggestion, then came across her diary entry about it weeks later during a particularly painful, sleepless night.

Staff Sergeant Mark Thompson convinced the Army that having type-1 diabetes should not keep him from serving in Iraq. Thompson, 28, is an Iowa native. He has been married for nine years and has a son, Kyle, who is two years old. He has always had something of a travel bug, and it was this desire to see the world that inspired Thompson to join the Army. That, and the stories he heard from his college roommate -- an older student who had served in the Vietnam War. As Thompson listened, the Army started to sound like an adventure.