MDS-My Story...so Far! By Barry Parnas
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Barry Parnas
MDS - My Story . . . so far
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Precious Conquers Aplastic Anemia, a Story from South Africa
Person's Name:
Precious Mathabatha
As a girl in South Africa, I was healthy and active. I started college at the University of Limpopo, studying Business/Accounting in 2011.
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I'm Like You: Barry Gore
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Barry Gore
As a young man, Barry Gore was a top-40 celebrity disc jockey, complete with an adoring fan club in the Greater Boston area. But like most first jobs, it lost its luster and he settled into sales and marketing while getting his MBA.
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I'm Like You: Brandi Lewis
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Brandi Lewis
Brandi was hooked on acting from the time she was three and played a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz. She eventually sidelined her first love to study political science at the University of Northern Alabama.
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Alaskan Goes Home for Treatment and a Fresh Start
Person's Name:
Shauna McMillan
I tell people I'm unique - almost one of a kind. I am 40 years old and have recently been diagnosed with a rare type of MDS having an unusual deletion 12q cytogenetic abnormality, known MDS 12q (-), or MDS 12q minus. I was diagnosed in February of 2015 at age 38, however my health struggles began several years before that. I had been living in Alaska for nearly twenty-five years. In 2008, I was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis (also a rare disease for someone of my age).
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I'm Like You: Tyler Andrews
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Tyler Andrews
Tyler Andrews has been passionate about running for most of his life. The 26-year-old turned it into his profession and has competed all over the world.
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I'm Like You: Vincent Rusak
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Vincent Rusak
Vincent Rusak of New Kensington, PA, traveled extensively during his 26-year career as an expert electronic service technician. For 15 of those years, he was also a regular blood donor in his community.
His father’s quadruple bypass surgery, as well as a deep compassion for his fellow man, were Vince's motivation for contributing to his local blood banks every six to nine months. Little did he know that this selfless habit would someday save his life.
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I'm Like You: Judi Wilkinson
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Judi Wilkinson
Judi Wilkinson of Ormond Beach, Florida, has worked as a mortgage underwriter, 911 operator and auto racing team manager. She was accustomed to handling tough situations, as well as emergencies.
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I'm Like You: Briana Donis
Person's Name:
Briana Donis
Homecoming queen and top student Briana Donis always wanted to go to the University of Texas at Austin.
“I was having a pretty awesome year. I was very well known at school and I had a boyfriend.” She had just been accepted at the school of her choice when she noticed how really tired she was all the time. And then the bleeding started.
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2014 Matthew Debono Scholarship Winner Thomas Howlett
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Thomas Howlett
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