How a Bone Marrow Donor Gave My Coach a Second Chance at Life
WORLD CANCER DAY - National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is Calling on U.S. Sailors to join up! #Sailors4Life
If you’ve been following my Substack, you know I’m passionate about sailing, community, and the incredible stories that come from both. February is National Cancer Prevention Month in the USA, so today is a special day for me to share a story.
Today, on World Cancer Day, it seems like a good time for me to share something that hits close to home and motivates me to spread awareness about something that could save lives. It’s about my coach, John Bertrand, a legendary sailor who’s faced down more than just rough seas.
His journey with leukemia reminded me how fragile life can be, but also how a simple act of kindness from a stranger can change everything. John, as many of you know, is a well-known figure in the sailing world. But a few years ago, he was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). It was a tough blow. He was faced with a grueling choice: continue with chemotherapy, which can be exhausting and uncertain, or opt for a bone marrow transplant, which offered a potential cure but came with its own risks.
After careful consideration, John chose the transplant. The challenge? Finding a compatible donor. In the United States, participation in bone marrow registries isn’t as robust as it is in other parts of the world, like Europe. That means fewer potential matches for patients in need. John was incredibly fortunate to find a young 20-year-old donor in the U.S. who was a 10/10 match. Because of that high compatibility, John’s recovery was smoother than most.
He was recently released from Stanford Medical Center, feeling great, surprisingly, with only minor symptoms.
Leaving the hospital was a moment of pure joy, capped off by the hospital staff playing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” as he “rang the bell” signifying he was cancer-free. John shared his update on social media, and his words capture the gratitude and positivity that carried him through.
Here’s what John posted about his experience
“The big news: I was discharged from Stanford on Thursday, January 22nd, 9 days early!
This is rare for an allogeneic transplant, thanks to a smooth process with virtually no side effects from chemo, infusion, or post-transplant meds. I’m deeply grateful to the donor for their cells, to Stanford’s expert team, and to your prayers and support. I went into the hospital in such a positive mental state, buoyed by being surrounded by positive people last year and that incredible wave of support as I headed in. This was maybe even the biggest reason things went so well. It cannot be overlooked how much that mindset and community lifted me through. I’m now at my sister’s in the Bay Area for the first 100 days, rebuilding my immune system while monitoring for GVHD (graft-versus-host disease) with regular check-ups, meds, and precautions (masks, clean diet, no crowds). Physically weak, stairs are a challenge, but strength will return as the new bone marrow ramps up, aided by PT and rest. Already eyeing getting back on the water, coaching, and out in the Montana mountains.”
The donor gave him another chance, one that would allow him to return to what he loves: sailing, coaching, and the outdoors.
Not everyone is as lucky as John. Thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world are waiting for a bone marrow match right now. Many don’t find one in time because there aren’t enough registered donors.
That’s why I’m writing this: to encourage you, my readers, to consider joining a bone marrow registry. It could be you who becomes someone’s hero. Joining is easier than you might think.
If you’re 18–40, healthy, and live in the U.S., you can sign up with the NMDP. It’s free and takes minutes. You sign up online, they mail you a cheek swab, you send it back, and you’re added to the registry. That’s it. You could save someone’s life. The U.S. needs more donors, and change starts with us. One small action can give someone another chance to hug their family or chase their dreams.
Joining the Registry
Registration: You sign up with the donor registry.
Cheek Swab: You provide a simple cheek swab, which is used for HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing to match you with patients.
Ready to join? Scan this QR code to get started:
Or click here: Join Sailors4Life registry. If you’re not eligible, share this post with someone who might be.
Thank you, truly, for taking the time to read this. Your support matters more than you know, and I hope you’ll join me in standing together in the fight against blood cancers.
Fair winds,
Paloma Arrigo
Powerful story about how one person's decision to join a registry literaly saved a life. That 10/10 match stat being rare makes the point even stronger about why more peopel need to sign up. My sister did the cheek swab thing a few years ago and said it took like 5 minutes, so the barrier to entry is pretty much nonexistent.