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Good job, Good health, Good life. Then: Aplastic Anemia, Followed by PNH. Daniel’s Story

In 2009, Daniel had a good job in accounting in Sydney, Australia. He had a structured, organized, healthy lifestyle. He had a devoted partner (whom he later married) and was studying for the Chartered Accountancy qualification. He rode his bike to work and played soccer. He was planning a good life ahead.

One day at the office, the receptionist pinched his arm. The next day, he saw a huge welt in the same spot.  Because a colleague urged him to get it checked out, he did.

“My labs didn’t tell the whole story” Jen’s Aplastic Anemia Journey

Jen had a great life. She was married with two children, and she’s just transitioned from teaching to school counseling. At 41, life was busy yet wonderful.

Her symptoms were unusual, but not alarming. The leg pain was new, as was the bruising. Then fatigue set in, far beyond usual tiredness from her schedule. A visit to the doctor did not offer a definitive diagnosis.  They suggested it was her condition with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but with the new bruising, they ordered labs. It was February 2022.

Athletic Canadian Continues Studies while in Treatment for Severe Aplastic Anemia: Geordy's Story

Geordy’s youth was an active one.  Baseball, Soccer, and Hockey filled his days, even competing in the Little League World Series!

He was active in his family’s church, too.  When offered the opportunity to go on a Youth with a Mission (YWAM) program to Australia, he traveled from his home in British Columbia to participate.  Once there, the spark of ministry became a calling, so he attended college in Saskatchewan to become a pastor.

Allen’s Journey with Aplastic Anemia, Part 1

Allen had a gratifying life.  He had a wife and a two-year-old, living on a farm, working in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at the teaching hospital.  He exercised, ran, hiked, hunted, fished, and more, enjoying the outdoors, his family, and his career.

In January, he had the worst case of the flu he had ever experienced.  The 104-degree fevers lasted several days.  He recovered enough to travel to Europe on a scheduled family trip, finally feeling up to a 10-mile hike at the end of the visit.

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