This will be my return to the Race weekend after ten years. In the previous years I ran full and half marathons, 10k's and 5k's. The Ottawa hospital Stem cell Transplant team has given me a chance to participate again. After being diagnosed with MDS, I received a allo stem cell transplant. A very generous donor and the great team at TOH has given me a chance to spend more time with family and friends. Thank you.

Please help others by helping to grow the Stem Cell Patient Fund! The Fund provides financial assistance to stem cell and bone marrow transplant patients from various regions of Canada treated by The Ottawa Hospital Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program. Patients face numerous personal expenses not covered by health insurance plans, such as travel to Ottawa, accommodations in Ottawa for a period of 3 months in isolation following transplantation, quality nutrition, local transportation to follow-up appointments, access to specialized equipment, etc.

The Fund is an endowment of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. It's annual return on investment of 3.5% provides direct support to needy patients. As an endowment, the Stem Cell Patient Fund will support patients in perpetuity.