JoAnn and Don Yahn

Lead Photo
Award Year
2008

JoAnn and Don Yahn have raised more than $200,000 over the past decade in memory of their daughter, Torry, who battled aplastic anemia: (ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most… as a teenager.  The Torry Yahn Research Study grants funds for medical research to find a cure for aplastic anemia.  Beyond their extraordinary fundraising efforts that culminate in their Annual Chicken BBQ and Auction, their compassion serves as a lifeline and source of strength for families facing bone marrow failure: A condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells. The most common of these rare diseases are aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Bone marrow failure can be acquired (begin any time in life) or can be… disease.

Leadership Award Type
Leadership in Philanthropy

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