Kerry Jean Friend '05
After graduating from Otterbein, Kerry Jean was working as a Christian Education Director at a church in North Carolina, and as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. While teaching an aerobics class in April 2009, Kerry Jean noticed excessive bruising on her arms and legs. One week later, the bruises had covered her legs entirely, leaving her with dark blue skin.
Kerry Jean quickly saw a doctor, who took a blood sample and called her with the results the same day. "He told me to go directly to the cancer center where I had a room waiting for me. I was severely depleted of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets," she said. "He told me that if I were to hit my head or have a slight trip or fall, I did not have enough blood products in my body to live through the incident. It was a scary phone call, and I will remember it forever."
Further tests revealed that Kerry Jean had severe aplastic anemia, a condition that occurs when the body's bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells. Aplastic anemia leaves the patient feeling fatigued, and at a higher risk of life-threatening infections and uncontrolled bleeding. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, aplastic anemia is a rare disease, affecting only three out of every one million people in the United States each year.
A bone marrow transplant from a sibling is the first treatment option, but Kerry Jean said neither of her brothers was a bone marrow match. She received blood and platelet transfusions, but her body continued to attack these new blood cells. Doctors then tried an antithymocyte globulin (ATG) treatment, a drug that targets a white blood cell called a T cell, which directs the immune system when to attack foreign cells. When this treatment failed, Kerry Jean's only option was a bone marrow transplant.
"I wanted a bone marrow transplant since the day I was diagnosed," she said. "However, it is given to patients as their last treatment plan because if it doesn't work, there isn't another option."
Kerry Jean's family and church set up two bone marrow drives in her hometown of Leesburg, OH, through which they signed up over 1,000 people to join the National Marrow Donor Program. She said she was overwhelmed by the support of the Otterbein community.
"Staff members from the Athletic Department drove four hours to attend the bone marrow drive," she said. "(Sigma Alpha Tau) Sorority sisters traveled from all over the state to sign up to be a match. (They) posted my story online, and sisters and alumni from around the country signed up to be a bone marrow donor."
The bone marrow drives were successful and Kerry Jean found a perfect bone marrow match. She was sent to The James Cancer Center at The Ohio State University four days before the transplant for chemotherapy and radiation treatments, to help her body create a more suitable living environment for the new bone marrow. On September 25, 2009, Kerry Jean had the bone marrow transplant. When she came out of the surgery, she said, "the nurses lined my room and sang 'Happy Birthday' because it becomes your birthday, a second chance at life."
Again, Kerry Jean said the support from the Otterbein community was insurmountable. Staff members from the Athletic Department and Admissions Office sent cards and emails. Head football coach Joe Loth sent cards signed by the Otterbein football team. Athletic Director Dick Reynolds sent correspondence, and Skip Ford, athletic facility supervisor and equipment administrator, received and relayed updates on her progress.
"My mom and dad would read emails and Facebook messages sent from Otterbein alumni. The outpouring of support from Otterbein was quite exceptional and uplifting during my 60-day stay at The James Cancer Center," she said.
Kerry Jean said the hardest part of her battle with aplastic anemia was feeling so ill. She had little energy and, when she went outside, she had to wear a large mask and gloves. For months after the transplant she was sick from the chemotherapy and her body's initial reaction to the new bone marrow. She became bedridden from too much weight loss, but slowly regained weight and strength with the help of a feeding tube.
"The most rewarding part is to remember all the times when people were there for me, sending me get well cards and praying for me," she said. "It gave me hope, and it made me feel loved. I become closer to family, I reconnected with friends, and I can't think of a better experience to go through."
More than a year after her bone marrow transplant, Kerry Jean said she feels healthier than ever. "I'm still taking medicines; however, I feel fantastic. I feel better than I did before I was even diagnosed. I'm back to work and taking fitness classes to gain strength. I'm healthy and happy," she said.
Kerry Jean said her battle with aplastic anemia has changed her life for the better. "It has helped me realize how special life is and how important people are. I have a deeper faith, and I cherish all the little things," she said. "I find excitement in everyday living, and because I was in the right place at the right time, I met a boyfriend who has completely changed my life. I can't believe how God has answered all of my prayers."
Click here to register to be a bone marrow donor through the National Marrow Donor Program.
