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By Stephanie Cindric

I was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET) at age 16 after collapsing in my high school cafeteria. At that time, lab results showed I had a platelet count of over 1 million and my world was forever changed. During the last 18 years, I have traveled along the highs and lows of platelet counts, treatments, and the emotions of this blood cancer. ET has created some of the worst fears I’ve had in my life, but has also given me more purpose than I could have hoped for at a young age. One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with this diagnosis was the feeling of isolation I encountered with having an “orphan disease.” When ET entered my life, there was limited funding and attention towards myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). As a board member of the MPN Research Foundation, I am very proud of the research and patient support that the foundation has made possible over the years. The research and knowledge has come a long way since I was diagnosed and our work continues in order to further understand and develop a cure for MPNs.

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