Fall 2025
By Elyse Pleickhardt
In 2004, when William “Bill” Pomeroy was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-growing blood and bone marrow cancer, his future was uncertain.
At that time, it was difficult for older adults with blood cancers to access stem cell transplants, despite the median age of diagnosis being 68. Transplants were typically reserved for those age 35 and younger, and even when an older patient did receive one, the risk of complications was much higher.
But in May 2005, Pomeroy got the fortunate news that a stem cell donor match had been found, and, before he knew it, he was on his way to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for his transplant.
After his successful transplant, Pomeroy was inspired to help create better outcomes for patients like him. In 2005, he founded the William G. Pomeroy Foundation® to raise awareness and fund initiatives to improve access to blood cancer care. Pomeroy and his foundation have since made gifts totaling more than $1 million to Dana-Farber, supporting research and clinical trials that continue to make leaps and bounds toward more successful transplants.
“Over the past two decades, I have been proud to support Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission through philanthropy,” said Pomeroy. “Giving back is my way of ensuring that others receive the same opportunity I was so fortunate to experience and to bring hope to patients facing some of life’s toughest challenges. None of us got to where we are on our own.”
Thanks to Pomeroy’s efforts, Dana-Farber has extended stem cell transplant treatment to people into their 70s and 80s and developed new ways of preparing people for transplants so they have better outcomes. Because access to treatment is so important to Pomeroy, one of his recent gifts supports the work of Coleman Lindsley, MD, PhD, whose Stem Cell Donor Registry Study has the potential to redefine how donors are selected for transplant and increase accessibility of this lifesaving treatment.
“This research paves the way for more effective and equitable treatment by exploring donor characteristics beyond age and antigen matching,” Pomeroy said. “Every gift, large or small, helps shape a healthier, brighter future for all.”
Pomeroy’s commitment is bringing blood cancer care to a population who, not so long ago, wasn’t eligible for lifesaving treatment. Dana-Farber and all the patients whose lives his generosity touches are forever grateful for the gift of access.