Alaysha is a mom of two busy, happy, boys. In many ways her life is like that of most moms: juggling work and running around after her little kids. But she knows how precious these family moments really are, as both boys are now in recovery from a serious blood disease that was cured by a blood stem cell transplant. In this episode of NMDP Black Blood Heals, we hear her story. Alaysha tells us about how her two boys were diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). This rare ...

In 2018, Lois went for a routine physical exam. The next day she unexpectedly received a phone call from her doctor telling her she had an extremely low white blood count. Further tests over the next few days confirmed her diagnosis: Lois had leukemia. In this episode of NMDP Black Blood Heals, Lois walks us through her cancer diagnosis and the blood stem cell transplant that saved her life—thanks to an NMDP donor. Then you’ll hear her talk about her volunteer role as an NMDP courier wh...

Having your child diagnosed with a serious disease is a parent’s worst nightmare. But if it happens to you, you want to know that your child is in safe hands, being cared for by an expert medical team. In this episode of NMDP Black Blood Heals, we talk to Margo Rollins, MD, a pediatric hematologist oncologist, about childhood cancer and blood disorders. Dr. Rollins discusses how blood cancers and disorders are diagnosed through different newborn screenings and regular childhood checkups...

Altonet joined the donor registry as a university student and years later received the call that would change her life. She was a blood stem cell donor match for someone in need of transplant. In this episode, Altonet shares her donation experience and how she became a true supporter of blood stem cell donation—which led her to working for NMDP. Altonet is passionate about adding more Black and African Americans to the donor registry. Hear as she acknowledges barriers and how her ...

Life wasn’t always easy for 12-year-old Kelsey. Born with sickle cell disease, she had her first sickle cell crisis when she was just 11 months old. Throughout her childhood she had more than 35 hospital stays and approximately 25 blood transfusions. Even when she wasn’t in hospital, Kelsey had to manage pain, fatigue and reduced mobility. Kelsey found a matching blood stem cell donor and received a blood stem cell transplant. Now a year later, Kelsey is thriving. Listen as we talk to K...

On this episode of Black Blood Heals, we’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite guests, Donna! Donna is a blood stem cell transplant recipient who we featured on an episode last year with her blood stem cell donor, Tiana. Today, Donna is celebrating being cancer-free for five years and we’re catching up with her to find out how her life has been since her blood stem cell transplant. Listen to her talk about how she lives her life now and how she supports the work of the NMDP. We ...

Why would someone refuse to donate blood stem cells once, but then accept to become a donor later? On this episode of Black Blood Heals, we talk to Jeremiah who turned down the first request he got to become a donor. In a full circle moment, he later accepted and gladly donated his blood stem cells to help save the life of a person in need. Jeremiah explains why he first joined the NMDP Registry and how he felt when his first call to donate came through. We explore the concerns that led...

Welcome to "Black Blood Heals," the podcast that delves deep into the revolutionary world of blood stem cell therapy. Today's episode, brought to you by NMDP, explores the profound intricacies of donor-recipient matching with a special focus on the unique challenges faced by African American patients. Joining us is the esteemed Dr. Rafeek Yusuf, Director of Health Services Research at NMDP, a man whose life's work is dedicated to ensuring life-saving therapies are within everyone's reach. In ...

Welcome to the Season Close Out of Black Blood Heals. In today's episode, our host, Tamara Weston, reflects on the impactful conversations and insights shared this season. She highlights the diverse range of guests, from physicians discussing the need for more diverse stem cell donors to touching stories of patients and donors. Throughout the season, Tamara and our guests have highlighted the importance of joining the registry and the significant impact individuals can have on someone's...

Welcome to Black Blood Heals, where we highlight the impactful stories of blood stem cell donors. In today's episode, our host, Tamara Weston, sits down with Eboni Nash, a recent donor, to walk us through her donor journey and share insights into the experience of being a stem cell donor. Eboni joined the registry in March 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, and received the call to donate in August 2021, just a year and five months later. She generously shares her entire journ...