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 and interfere with the production of red blood cells and platelets. 

None of this worried Shari too immensely. Life continued as it had before – maybe a tad slower, but all was relatively well. Until COVID struck in 2020.

Because of CLL, Shari’s immune system was weakened and COVID hit her hard. A month in the ICU, watching many around her not survive, Shari made it through. But this exacerbated the CLL and her white blood cell count skyrocketed to almost 20 times the normal count. Not only were these cells multiplying at enormous speed, but they were abnormal and could no longer function properly. Life became more and more difficult, and the things Shari enjoyed most – running, hiking, skiing – came to an abrupt halt.

Shari tried a clinical trial, hoping that the abnormal white cell production would slow down to normal, but instead the white cells crowded the bone marrow and her bone marrow just shut down. Her hemoglobin levels dropped to three within a few months (normal women usually are around 12 to 15), her oxygen levels depleted rapidly, her platelets were dangerously low, and Shari could no longer fight off infections. That’s when she was also diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia.

Severe aplastic anemia is when the bone marrow fails to either producing enough new blood cells. This requires constant transfusions. Shari’s life became a continuous cycle into Boston every other day for lifesaving transfusions. 

“I needed red blood cells so I could breathe and platelets so I wouldn’t bleed,” Shari said. “My gums bled when I walked. I had to have a towel on my pillow at night because my gums would just continue to bleed.”

Shari says life became like a dream one can’t wake up from. She soon learned that a potential cure would be a bone marrow transplant. Family was not a match. As Shari’s transfusions continued, she waited, hoping that someone, somewhere on the donor registry would be a match. And finally, one was found.

After chemotherapy and radiation prepared her body to receive donor stem cells, Shari underwent the transplant she hoped would save her life. As snow fell outside her window, a bag of stem cells flowed through an IV into her bloodstream.

“After the transplant, you just wait,” Shari said. “The donor cells have to settle into your bone marrow and start producing blood cells. This takes time and infections can be extreme. But soon, my neutrophils were slowly creeping up. First, only three. Then finally when it passed 1,000. We knew the new marrow was working! This person gave of themselves and gave me life!”

Now, Shari is retired from her work in media, and has returned to her active lifestyle, being with her family and grandchildren, and speaking and educating the public about donations of blood, platelets, plasma and being a donor to help others. Shari raises awareness to all who will listen about her journey, her recovery, and why she is here. 

“Become ambassadors for life,” Shari expressed to others. “Remember that a donation is just an hour or two of your time, a mild inconvenience, oh….and maybe a cookie and some juice afterwards! But to those that need it, it is oxygen, time, hope, survival. There is no greater quiet heroism than showing up and giving.”

Currently, the Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected.

Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The most important way to help end the blood shortage is to book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).