My Second Chance — From Despair to Thriving

Lori's Story

In 2001 I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive blood cancer called T-cell lymphoma. I’ve considered myself both a patient and a survivor ever since. I did chemotherapy and radiation from 2001 to 2006. In June 2006, I received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from a young man in Germany.

I lived in the hospital for nearly 4 months after the transplant procedure. One of the biggest stressors in my cancer experience was the post-transplant complications I faced. Since my transplant, I have experienced acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), as well as other cancers, but fortunately no recurrence of blood cancer. I continue to see my doctors and medical team on a regular basis for GVHD and other post-transplant complications.

On June 22, 2026, I will celebrate my 20th transplant anniversary. I am beyond thankful for the care from my transplant team and my many doctors who have supported me.

Community Support Made All the Difference

My son Matthew was in elementary school when I was diagnosed. I wanted to find someone or something that could help Matthew cope with his single mom fighting to survive cancer. Through my search, I found CSC and Gilda’s Club programs and services, all free of charge to people impacted by cancer. What their community has given Matthew and me is priceless. I know its value.

Matthew and I were instantly welcomed into the community. We had new friends in the staff and other members. CSC and Gilda’s Club have provided not only a community, but a family and a home — a place where everyone has experienced the impact of cancer in some way. We all had a common ground, and we received a wealth of resources. I relied heavily on their support programs throughout my cancer experience. Even today, the CSC and Gilda's Club community is a source of emotional and social support for me.

I will never say "Why me?” I will always say "Why not me?"

When my cancer experience started, I wish I had known that chemotherapy, radiation, and transplant would not be the end of the journey. Twenty years ago, I thought these things would be the fix — the problem solver — and that [things] would return to my pre-cancer life. I was completely wrong. But my experience has made me a better, more grateful person today.

My cancer experience has helped me be fully educated and informed. It has given me the power to speak up for myself and other cancer survivors. I love sharing my story and talking about CSC and Gilda's Club programming as a resource for support. And I love educating others about blood cancer, stem cell transplants, and being a marrow donor.

Thanks to my marrow donor and lifesaving transplant, things I have accomplished post-treatment include:

1. Pursuing an Army Civilian career
2. Moving to Detroit for 5 years for my career
3. Raising my son who is now 30 years old, living a wonder life as a model, singer, and actor in LA
4. Running marathons, including full marathons and 50-mile runs
5. Meeting my donor
6. Taking a motorcycle-riding class, getting my motorcycle license, buying a motorcycle
7. Enjoying my family and friends over the past 20 years
8. Traveling around the country and the world
9. Earning my master’s degree
10. Completing Army tank commander training
11. Pursuing years of jazzercise and healthy weight loss
12. Serving as race director (10 years!)
13. Completing thousands of hours of volunteer work for my community, especially my local Gilda's Club
14. Completing my first triathlon and my first 30-mile winter fat-tire bike race
15. Serving as a guardian twice on Honor Flight trips for American veterans
16. Hosting many bone marrow registry drives (putting thousands of strangers on the registry)