Co-Founder

On February 14, 2007 my life was changed when I received a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. After searching for a suitable donor for over ten years, my perfect match was finally found and as a result I am cured today.

At eight months old, I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. My condition limited me from taking part in many typical childhood activities, and I was transfusion dependent life until age 19 when my disease progressed into Myelodysplastic Syndrome. At this point a transplant was the only option if I wanted a chance at life. Fortunately for me, there was a new addition to the bone marrow registry. Pauline, a 23 year old from New York who recently joined the registry at a drive held on her college campus. I waited 19 years to live a disease free life but most people with bone marrow disorders do not have the time to wait for their perfect match.

Throughout my transplant journey, my mom and I became educated on the donation process. Becoming a marrow donor is such a simple procedure; just 4 buccal swabs and a clean bill of health qualifies you to make a difference in life. However, most people are not registered as marrow donors with the National Marrow Donor Program simply because they are unaware of this type of donation or they have never taken the time to register.

When discussing with my mom how to motivate more people to become a part of the registry, an idea dawned on her. As a dentist, she is constantly performing buccal swabs and just throwing them away. Why not put them to good use? With this in mind, we founded Perfect Match, a bone marrow recruitment drive that is implemented in the dental chair. We look forward to launching this program and feel that as a community; we can increase the odds of finding a perfect match for patients suffering from bone marrow failure across the nation.

I am currently an undergraduate at the University of San Diego and looking forward to a career in pediatric oncology. Spending so much time at the hospital while growing up, I’ve seen so many things I’d like to change or improve. I can relate to what those kids are going through in the hospital and I know I can make a difference. This is my calling.

Awards and selected speaking engagements

American Chemical Society Women Chemists Committee 2009 Overcoming Challenges Award, August 2009

Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation Young Survivors Scholarship Honorable Mention, 2008

San Diego Blood Bank Inspirational Speaker, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008

Cancer for College Scholarship Recipient, 2005

Make-a-Wish Inspirational Speaker, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

San Diego Board of Education Blood Drive Speaker, 2004

Chargers Blood Drive Speaker, 2001, 2004

March of Dimes Keynote Speaker – Genetic Disease Conference, 2001

Media

Perseverance Helps USD’s Sacknoff Overcome Challenges (USD News Center), September 1, 2009

Scenes From The ACS Meeting (C&ENtral Science), August 24, 2009

Teen needs donors with B-negative blood (San Diego Union-Tribune), April 23, 2004