helping fight amyloidosis
Stories of Courage- Amyloidosis Survivors
Brenda Gregory
suffered with amyloidosis for over a year before doctor’s correctly
diagnosed her disease. By raising awareness and funds, Who is amy?
is working to empower doctors and researchers to find a cure.
Amyloidosis survivor Brenda Gregory serves as source of inspiration
and support for those whose life has been affected by the disease.
Her symptoms began at the age of 54, shortly after moving to
Phoenix, AZ. She was feeling tired, had painful headaches and
nausea. Simply moving her hands and arms was painful.
Attributing her declining health to anemia and carpal tunnel
syndrome, she suffered for a full year before doctors diagnosed her
with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis.
As her disease progressed, amyloid protein caused Brenda’s kidney
function to decline. When her kidney function was at only 34%
of normal, she started chemotherapy treatment. To stop
the further damage of her organs, doctors advised her to have an
autologous, or self, stem cell transplant. A common treatment
for amyloidosis, this procedure uses a patient’s own stem cells to
produce new blood cells that do not produce amyloid protien.
Before the transplant, intensive chemotherapy is necessary to
destroy the disease causing cells. These high doses of chemo left
Brenda weak and with almost no immune system.
However, Brenda made it through this very risky procedure. The
transplant was successful, and she has been in remission for 9
years!! Today, she maintains a positive outlook feels she is “really
blessed”.
Advancements in medicine make it possible for doctors to implement
sophisticated treatments such as self-stem cell transplants for
amyloidosis. There are 1,200 to 3,200 new cases of amyloidosis
reported in the US each year. Countless patients may suffer with the
disease and remain undiagnosed. Raising awareness and
increasing research into new treatments will help more patients like
Brenda survive this debilitating disease.
Your involvement
will make an impact.