Jerry

I’d like you to meet Jerry—athletic director, coach and best friend to his daughter, Annie.

When Jerry started feeling weak and tired, he really didn’t think too much of it. Like most of us probably would, he figured he might be coming down with the flu or COVID-19. But when his symptoms wouldn’t go away, he decided it was time to go to the hospital. That day, Annie and her family’s lives were changed forever.

Testing confirmed that Jerry had acute myeloid leukemia and he was immediately admitted to the hospital. Due to pandemic restrictions, no one aside from Annie’s mom could see Jerry in the hospital. As you can probably imagine, Annie’s world was turned upside down.

Jerry remembers how bleak things looked when the doctor asked if his personal affairs were in order. “I just want one more summer,” Jerry begged the doctor. But he knew that if he didn’t follow through with his treatment plan, not only would he not make it another summer, he wouldn’t live beyond a few more weeks. Fortunately for him, he had the kindness of people like you behind him.

Annie left her job to help her mom with her dad’s care—at the same time, she was planning her wedding. As a backup plan, in the event that Jerry would be too sick to attend, Annie’s newly ordained friend would perform the wedding in the hospital so Jerry could still be part of Annie’s special day.

Thankfully, Jerry found his donor match on the NMDP Registry®, received his transplant in October 2021 and was able to be part of Annie’s special day.

The wedding couple made a donation to NMDP—an organization that holds a special place their hearts—in their guests’ honor. And the celebration became bigger—and more important—than a wedding. That day it was a celebration of life and how fragile it is. And Annie is beyond grateful to have been able to share that magical day with her best friend.

Quote from Daughter, Annie

“It was really hard—my dad’s my best friend. All I could think about was that I wanted him to walk me down the aisle.”
Jerry’s daughter Annie