“We are a family of 4 living in northwest Wisconsin. Our outdoor, adventure-loving boys are Fletcher (5) and Rifle (2). 

I, Sanci, was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disorder during my childhood. Not needing interventions until the summer of 2024, as there was a change in my condition. This change pushed my medical team to recommend a bone marrow transplant to save my life, and this was my only chance at a cure for this lifelong disorder. In Fall 2024, we relocated our family of four to Rochester, MN, to start my transplant process. It was a requirement of the transplant program to live within 10 minutes of the transplant center, and I wanted my boys close to me.  We lived in Rochester for four months, and during that time, my husband was off work to take care of me and the boys. 

I celebrated my 100-day post-transplant milestone in early 2025 and was told our youngest son, Rifle, would need a bone marrow transplant just days later. Our life has been turned upside down for the last eight months... Rifle was admitted to Children's Masonic Hospital in Minneapolis 2 days after his 2nd birthday. His transplant journey has been very tough, and currently, we are in the ICU for complications caused by high-dose chemotherapy. It's been heartbreaking to divide our family as we try to survive this journey. 

I have been off work since September, and with Rifle and me both recovering, I am uncertain when I will be able to return. 

We are so thankful to have been nominated and selected. As you can imagine, one transplant journey is expensive...now two transplants in 6 months in the same family is devastating, though remaining grateful that both my son and I were given the chance at life and a cure, because of two selfless donors.” - Sanci Harshman