Joyce Miner was battling a rare form of leukemia, known as acute lymphocytic leukemia, when she and her husband, Rick, found out they were going to be grandparents for the first time. Her doctors had told her that she had only a 30 percent chance of survival.

“That’s when I knew that I had to fight even harder,” Joyce said. “I definitely was not going to miss the birth of my first grandchild!”

Joyce underwent a stem-cell transplant at Fred Hutchinson, which doctors considered her last resort for long-term survival.

The next year — healthy and vibrant — Joyce celebrated her 50th birthday and the birth of Benjamin, her grandson. Thanks to this lifesaving treatment, she was able to experience the profound joy of holding him for the first time.

“People who contribute to cancer research at Fred Hutchinson can take partial credit and great pride in my recovery from cancer — and the recoveries of many others,” Joyce said.

Read more about Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia >