MICHELLE’S BATTLE
26-year old Michelle Maykin was originally diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a cancer of the blood, on February 27, 2007. After undergoing 5 rounds of chemotherapy, Michelle reached a state of remission and slowly began to reclaim her life. She also dedicated herself to helping others by creating Project Michelle, a campaign focused on recruiting people to become potential bone marrow donors.
In April of 2008, two months after returning to work, Michelle began to feel symptoms similar to those she had felt prior to her original diagnosis. Michelle’s fears became true on May 7, 2008 when her oncologist confirmed that she had relapsed. She was also blindsided by the results of an MRI that revealed a mass on her brain.
For Michelle to be cured of her leukemia, her treatment plan will include even more intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, Michelle does not currently have a bone marrow match and will not be able to undergo a transplant without one. Michelle is determined to win her battle with leukemia, but she now needs the generosity of others to succeed.
Help Michelle fight this battle! She urgently needs your help. Please learn more about the process and register to be bone marrow donor. Your choice could save her life.
MESSAGE FROM MICHELLE
I am incredibly blessed and touched by all of the support and love that has been coming in. My amazing team has been keeping me up to date with your efforts, and I cannot put in words how grateful I am for all of the energy behind getting people registered. It’s amazing how we can make a huge difference together–not only for myself, but for all the patients that are searching for another chance at life. I thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart.
- Michelle
ABOUT MICHELLE
Born in Texas but raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Michelle has grown to become an amazing girlfriend, daughter, sister and friend to many. She spent much of her young adulthood in the east bay–graduating from College Park High School, where she served as ASB president, and later UC Berkeley, where she met and fell in love with her boyfriend Van (and also double majored in Business Administration and Political Economy).
Since graduating in 2004, Michelle has worked in Advisory Services for KPMG. Outside of work, she never passes an opportunity to explore or try something new. Michelle has a contagious energy and spunkiness that engages people to move and explore–whether it’s on bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge, on a rock climbing wall, or a dance floor.
As the oldest of her siblings, Michelle has a natural ability to lead, inspire and nurture. She has volunteered her time at various organizations including the Juvenile Detention Center in San Jose, OASES at Cal and Tzu Chi in San Francisco. She recently began practicing for motherhood by adopting a beautiful Yorkshire Terrier puppy named Marshawn (after former Cal football great Marshawn Lynch). Michelle’s dream is to become a mother of two and raise a family in the San Francisco area.
Michelle urgently needs our help in giving her a new chance at life. Please help us find a match!
