Marc Dunbabin, a father from Highland, Utah, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after doctors discovered blood in his retina during a routine eye exam in 2021. Initially, Dunbabin responded well to targeted therapy, but his body eventually stopped responding to treatment, and the cancer spread to his central nervous system. He lost the ability to speak and experienced excruciating pain. In March 2023, after undergoing chemotherapy, Dunbabin underwent a successful bone marrow transplant at Intermountain LDS Hospital. The transplant was made possible by a selfless donor, whom Dunbabin hopes to meet one day. He credits the transplant with saving his life.
Bone marrow transplants can be risky but are a lifesaving treatment option for patients with diseases like acute leukemia or bone marrow failure syndromes. According to Dr. Julie Asch, the Blood and Marrow Transplantation director for Intermountain Health, donating bone marrow is an “awesome way” to save someone’s life. Dunbabin encourages others to consider becoming a bone marrow donor and express his gratitude to his anonymous donor for giving him his life back. Those interested in bone marrow donation can visit the BeTheMatch website for more information and to sign up as a donor.
