Kristen Soley had aplastic anemia, a rare disease that causes the body to stop making enough blood cells. The disease drastically increases risks of uncontrolled bleeding and infections. Throughout her treatments, Kristen needed multiple blood transfusions to restore her blood cells until her body could make more on its own.

Unfortunately, none of the treatments Kristen’s doctors tried were working. In order for her body to start making its own blood cells again, the doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant. One of Kristen’s sisters was a very close match, so she donated the stem cells necessary for the transplant. “It went beautifully. It’s really just another transfusion,” Kristen said.

Though the process was difficult and somewhat risky (in some cases the stem cells are rejected, which causes serious complications), Kristen’s transplant was a success. Despite developing acute graft versus host disease, her body is now creating blood cells once again, and she is very pleased that the treatment worked. To read the entire story from Mayo Clinic, click here.