Melinda Anderson Thrives Years after Bone Marrow Transplant
Melinda Anderson suffered a sudden illness just as she was about to start a new chapter of life: retirement! It took plenty of Hoxworth blood products and even a Bone Marrow transplant to feel better. Read more about her story and learn how her Bone Marrow donor is still part of her life.
The Beginning of a New Chapter was Rocky at First
Melinda Anderson of Corinth, Kentucky remembers looking forward to retirement in 2016. Just as she was burning through her unused paid time off in February in anticipation of retirement, she started to get sick. At first, she thought it was a sinus infection and after a short time she would recover. But then her symptoms started to worsen to include blood when she blew her nose, shortness of breath, a pale complexion, and even a bruise on her leg.
A Rare Diagnosis and a Search for a Donor
Melinda went to the doctor and had her blood drawn to test for something more serious. Immediately her doctor called with the results to tell her to go to the hospital to be treated for Aplastic Anemia. It’s a rare blood disorder characterized by the bone marrow's failure to produce enough blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Melinda was told she had one-third of the blood a normal person should have in their body. On the cusp of retirement, Melinda’s new job was to stay alive. Her new normal meant receiving blood and platelet transfusions at least three times a week. After both of her brothers were not a match, she was put on a national list to receive a bone marrow transplant.
While I was waiting for a bone marrow transplant, I relied on blood donors to keep me alive. Without them I would not have survived.
Melinda Anderson Bone Marrow Recipient
Bone Marrow Transplant at Cincinnati Hospital
A couple of months after Melinda’s diagnosis, she received her bone marrow transplant at UC Health on April 19, 2016. At the time, she did not know the donor who saved her life. But eventually she was able to meet the 19-year-old who selflessly donated precious cells to give Melinda a healthier life.
Melinda still needed blood transfusions for several months after the transplant. They became less and less frequent until she no longer needed any blood products.
Melinda is near and dear to the Hoxworth mission because not only has she received multiple blood products throughout her transplant process, but after her transplant she was a patient of ours for a few years. Melinda would often times speak to donors about the importance of donating their stem cells for others.
Krystol Weidner Hoxworth Apheresis Manager
Did You Know?
At Hoxworth Blood Center, the Apheresis Team and Cellular Therapies Departments work with local donors and patients through stem cell transplants and bone marrow transplants. Both departments also work with the National Marrow Donor Program and Gift of Life Donor Program to help patients around the world.
In 2024:
- 10 bone marrow products processed and shipped to patients globally through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)
- 65 bone marrow products processed and delivered to patients locally for transplants.
- 350 stem cell products collected at Hoxworth for local patients
- 100 stem cell products collected for patients around the world for the NMDP and Gift of Life Donor Program
You can sign up to be a donor at this link.
Melinda still has regular check-ups with her doctor to make sure her body is producing blood and platelets normally.
She says she wishes she could donate blood to give back in a way that so many donors gave to her. She encourages others to donate if you can.
“People think of car accidents and emergencies that use blood products. But in my case and many others like me, blood is needed regularly just to stay alive.”
A New Anniversary on a Special Date
Melinda is still in contact with her donor, Olivia Lawrence. Olivia lives in Missouri and is now experiencing a new beginning of her own. Olivia got married on April 19. Melinda was there to see the woman who saved her life begin a new chapter of her own. Melinda will have no trouble remembering Olivia’s wedding date. April 19, 2025 is the 9th anniversary of Melinda’s bone marrow transplant. It was the day that will forever connect these two women and now a day that has new meaning.
You can help people like Melinda through the National Marrow Donor Program or by giving blood. Schedule your donation today!