A little bit about their journey… (in Tom’s words)…
Pam and I met in 1995 and it started with a simple “hello”…sounds corny but it really did. I was struck by the glow around Pam. She on the other hand gave me a false name (Sue), would not give me her phone number, and did not tell me where she lived until the third date. Smart woman.
But after only 6 months we decided we truly were soul mates, and we got engaged and were married in 1996. Pam is the most positive, inspirational, smart, funny, caring person I truly have ever met. She is completely giving and unselfish. I truly have never met anyone who did not think she was fabulous. For those of us that know her, we are lucky to have her in our lives. If you have not met her, she is one of those people that after you talk to her, you feel better about yourself.
Unfortunately after a few years of marriage, during a routine physical, the doctor discovered that Pam had Essential Thrombocythemia. Eventually, we also learned that we were now facing Myleofibrosis. The only cure is a bone marrow transplant. After touring the country and seeing doctors from Seattle to Boston, we decided that UPENN would be our home base, and for 11 years, we have been getting to know them. Pam is doing well and we enjoy life, but the eventual cure will depend on finding the best bone marrow donor match we can. And, to find the perfect match we need to rely on the registry. The more people in the registry, the better the chance for a perfect match for Pam and the 10,000 other people that are seeking the perfect match.
