The Fight Can't Start Without A Match
Mark Alan McDaniels
February 25, 1967 - December 12, 2024
Mark’s diagnosis of stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was sudden and devastating, yet he faced it with remarkable courage and unwavering optimism. Throughout his treatment, Mark’s determination never faltered, even as his body struggled against the disease. For Mark, like many cancer patients, blood transfusions are not just a treatment– they are a lifeline.
When low blood levels made him symptomatic, an emergency transfusion was needed, but after a week with no match, we learned the true complexity of his situation. The cancer in his spleen created a rare blood antigen (anti-ANWJ), found in fewer than 15 cases since 1972, which exists on 99.99% of all human red blood cells. This rare condition made Mark both alloimmune and autoimmune, meaning his body was attacking both donor blood and his own red blood cells. This created a life-threatening challenge: finding compatible blood for transfusions became nearly impossible.
Despite an exhaustive national and international search, only four units of matched blood were found for Mark. He spent half of his 74 days since diagnosis hospitalized, relying on these limited, rare transfusions to maintain the blood counts necessary to tolerate chemotherapy and fight his cancer.
Throughout Mark’s treatment, his attitude and spark remained bright, even as his body struggled with limited resources. Eventually, Mark’s body, with chemotherapy treatments, couldn’t maintain the blood levels needed to survive. After an intense 10-week fight with tremendous medical efforts, Mark lost his battle with cancer and passed away on December 12, 2024.
Mark’s story reveals the insurmountable challenges faced by patients with rare hematological cancers. The Mark McDaniels Rare Malignant Hematology Hope Grant was created to honor his legacy and spirit in supporting patients facing these complex conditions.
Donations to this fund support Dr. Cole Sterling and the Johns Hopkins Oncology team in providing specialized care specifically for patients with rare hematological malignancies.
