From Transfusions to Triumph: Shari's Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
By June Mittelmark, Red Cross writer Athlete. Strong. Vibrant. Dynamic. Survivor. Shari Donnermeyer These words describe Shari Donnermeyer, who today is here to tell her story of going from an active life to a perilous journey through Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and severe Aplastic Anemia, and not only surviving this ordeal, but thriving again in a jam-packed active life. It started one morning on a walk with a friend when Shari noticed her heart rate climbing dangerously high, even though she was walking at an easy pace. By the end of the day, a trip to the emergency room became a need for an urgent blood transfusion. That in turn, after a number of tests, led to a diagnosis in of CLL in 2019. CLL is a blood cancer that is very slow growing. Normally, treatment is not even needed right away. Many people can live for years without any issues. This type of cancer produces an abnormal amount of white blood cells called lymphocytes. With time, they can overrun the bone marrow ...
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