Patient Spotlight: Hear Real Patient Experiences
Every person at Geron is driven by the people at the heart of our work—patients, caregivers, and families. Their experiences guide our purpose and deepen our sense of responsibility to advance the science, treatments, and care they are counting on.
These stories are not ours–they belong to the individuals living with these conditions who have chosen to share their journeys. We are honored to listen, to learn, and to keep pushing forward–because they are what drives us at Geron.
Linda’s Story
After a distinguished and fulfilling career in education administration, Linda looked forward to a peaceful retirement in Florida. But those plans changed when her husband was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. She became his primary caregiver, facing heartbreak and uncertainty each day until his passing.
Years later, the unimaginable happened. During a routine check-up, Linda’s doctor noticed concerning signs and ordered a bone marrow biopsy. It confirmed what she feared: she had Lower-Risk MDS, or LR-MDS.
Linda describes being diagnosed and living with LR-MDS as a trip that you wish you didn’t have to go on. But she has a mantra that helps her face each day: find your brave. Whether it’s through the love of her family and partner Jack, her work in patient advocacy, or the simple joy of doing what she loves, Linda now finds strength in the moments that matter. And with every step forward, she continues to find her brave.
Joan’s Story
Joan has always had a heart for helping others. She began her career as a social worker, and even years later, that passion hasn’t faded. So when she was diagnosed with LR-MDS over a decade ago, she didn’t let it define her. Instead, she made a choice: to face this diagnosis with positivity and use her voice to help others.
Joan shares that living with LR-MDS isn’t without its challenges. Even simple tasks, like going to the grocery store, can take extra effort. But she meets each day with positivity, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to supporting others on the same path.
She leads patient support groups, often becoming the first person a newly diagnosed patient speaks with. It has become her mission to explain her experience, and turn her journey into a message of empowerment. She’s also traveled across the country to raise awareness and advocate for change in the MDS community.
Joan lives by a simple motto: get busy living. And every day, she does exactly that—turning what she calls her “new normal” into a mission to uplift and empower others.