Kathy Till never expected that in her early 70s, she would be thrust into a battle against a rare and life-threatening disease. Yet, in 2021, after years of seemingly manageable health and routine doctor visits, she found herself diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)—a rare disease where bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells.
Since then, Kathy’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary—filled with challenges, life-saving treatments, and a deep sense of gratitude that has driven her to become an advocate for those affected by blood cancers.
Early Warning Signs and a Critical Diagnosis
For two years, Kathy saw her doctor for regular checkups until they noticed troubling signs after a routine blood test. “My blood tests weren’t looking great,” she recalled. “Initially, we thought it was a part of the normal aging process.”
However, when her blood levels continued to fall, Kathy insisted on a new test. This time, the results were alarming. By January 2021, doctors confirmed her blood tests illustrated MDS, or possibly even Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
A Donor’s Gift and a New Lease on Life
Finding her stem cell donor was nothing short of amazing. The Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute team quickly located a 24-year-old woman donor from San Antonio, Texas, who was an ideal match. After several rounds of chemotherapy and receiving her transplant, Kathy’s new donor cells took hold after only 12 days—significantly faster than the 14-21 days expected—and her blood levels began to improve.
Despite a quicker-than-expected discharge, Kathy experienced a fungal pneumonia infection the day after leaving Moffitt, causing her to be immediately readmitted. Regardless of the obstacles, she remained positive and trusted her medical team. “It’s strange—my diagnosis didn’t impact my mental or emotional well-being,” Kathy said. “I didn’t want to know the odds. I trusted the doctors, and I just focused on getting better.”
Now, at three years post-transplant, Kathy is not officially cured, but she’s in remission. “I’m lucky to be here,” she said. “Some people don’t make it, but I’m one of the fortunate ones. I’m not fully cured, but I live my life.”
Advocating for Others
Kathy’s experience has inspired her to help others facing similar challenges. In 2024, she was invited to speak at the first walk for MDS in Tampa, Florida, an event she eagerly accepted. ABC Tampa News covered the event and Interviewed her about her journey. Her story resonated with many, and Kathy is now raising awareness about MDS and the importance of stem cell donation.
“I want to help people,” she said. “There’s a lot of information out there, but it is hard to find. My daughter helped me create a Facebook page for MDS patients, andI’ve been sharing information and helping others understand the process. There are 475 people in the group now.”
Kathy is passionate about encouraging younger people—especially those between 18 and 41—to become stem cell donors. “A simple swab could save someone’s life,” she said. “You don’t have to do much and it can make all the difference.”
Future-Focused
Looking back on her battle with MDS, Kathy offers advice. “If you think something’s wrong with you, advocate for yourself. Trust your doctors but be your advocate—push for more blood tests, ask questions, and do your research.”
Kathy’s advocacy and journey remind us there is hope, even in the darkest times. By sharing her story, she inspires others to fight and consider becoming life-saving stem cell donors.
