Turning 50 might be traumatic for some people. But John Engdahl of Willmington, Massachusetts, decided to use this milestone to try something new and different - like running the Boston Marathon!

During the course of John's training, he decided to get a physical. Results of tests done during this routine procedure determined that he had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. John received his diagnosis on April 5 and was admitted to Newton Wellesley Hospital to begin chemotherapy.

Ironically, the marathon course goes right by the hospital. John could be wheeled out to watch it. The friend he'd planned to run the race with stopped to say hello and wish him well.

But John was also helped by people he didn't know and would never meet. Because the chemo compromised his immune system and depleted his platelets, John received "a lot of blood." The transfusions kept him going until Christmas, when he received an autologous bone marrow transplant.

The chemotherapy and transplant were successful. John emerged from the hospital on January 2, 1992 and has been cancer-free ever since!

Two years later, his cancer support group was asked to participate in the "Team in Training" program to benefit the Leukemia Society. The idea was to have people running for pledges in already established marathons participating in the program. John decided to go for it. "Team in Training" raised $13,000 for the Leukemia Society that first year. The event grew and last year this effort raised $4 million!

Lately John's pace has changed a bit. John had bypass surgery in January 1999. His marathons since then have included both running and walking, but he's still on the move and has already signed up for the Boston Marathon 2001.

"Never once during the chemotherapy, or later with the bypass, did I have to worry about the blood being there. I'm very fortunate and grateful to the Red Cross."

Your blood donations allowed John Engdahl to continue to enjoy life with his wife, 5 children and 8 grandchildren.

Patient Stories