Mark Hepp and is an engineer and avid cyclist. Three years ago he was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma, an extremely aggressive form of lymphoma.

Mark became very ill and was initially diagnosed with anemia in the fall of 1999. Further tests at the Lahey Clinic's Hematology Department revealed that, in actuality, he had this very dangerous kind of cancer. Doctors wanted to admit him that night so he could begin chemotherapy in the morning. His medical team gave Mark six to eight weeks to live if the disease went untreated. Mark describes going home that night to tell his family (the kids were ages 13, 15 and 18 years old at the time) about the cancer.

Thanks to the diagnosis and very aggressive chemotherapy regime – sometimes four times a day - Mark is now in remission. Dr. Rabinowitz was able to put Mark on such harsh chemo treatments because he was able to receive clean blood transfusions – approximately 18 in all. Mark says that the transfusions literally gave him a "new lease on life" and he always felt dramatically better the day after a transfusion. He realizes now that the transfusions provided him with the clean blood supply that enabled him to handle the harsh chemotherapy and saved his life.

Mark is an avid cyclist. His friend brought him a personal note of support from Lance Armstrong. This summer Mark is traveling to France with a cycling group and will ride the same pro course in the morning that the pros travel in the afternoon.

Red Cross blood donors help patients just like Mark in cities and towns throughout New England and across the United States. Please….give blood. Together, we can save a life.

Patient Stories