Kinny Powell

I donated blood for years.  In September 2019, I went to donate and was denied, as my Hemoglobin was too low.  This began my journey to find out what was wrong with my body.  After numerous tests, I was diagnosed with Myleodysplasia.  My treatment plan was to lower my Leukemia blasts to be able to receive a bone marrow transplant.  My son in California was a perfect half match.

Covid came and after months of chemotherapy, my body was determined to be able to receive a transplant in July 2020.  My son had to donate his cells in California.  The cells were frozen and sent to Prisma Cancer Center in Greenville SC.I received more chemotherapy and radiation and spent 5 weeks in the Transplant unit of Greenville Memorial Hospital.  I was able to go downstairs outside of the Hospital to visit with my wife some the first week.  After receiving the BMT on day 8,  I could not leave and had no visitors for a month.

Long story short, I “recovered”.  Over the next years, I had RSV, a 5 way CABG,

PneumosysticPneumonia, Gall Bladder surgery and a fractured pelvis.  In the fall of 2023 my MDS relapsed.  My son came to Greenville and donated a stem cell DLI.  I received half of the cells in December and the remaining donation was in August 2024.  It was supposed to be in July, but I got Covid in July.  

The DLI worked well until December 2025 when my bone marrow biopsy showed my disease had progressed to Acute Myleoid Leukemia.  Two months of chemotherapy followed.  A second bone marrow transplant would have been my best option.  However, after the chemotherapy, I was not strong enough.  My son came here in April and donated another DLI.  Thankfully, his donation was enough cells for 4 DLIs.  I have received one and it is working well so far.  

The journey continues!

Thank you!